Meningitis due to
Neisseria Meningitides
has the highest
incidence worldwide in
Africa, exactly in a
region of Sub-Saharan
Africa (Meningitis belt).
This region is
hyper-endemic and
extends from
Senegal to Ethiopia.
In the meningitis belt,
350 million people at
least are at risk of
getting meningitis in the
annual epidemics.
Meningitis
Definition
is an inflammation
(infection) of the
meninges also
involves the fluid
(CSF) surrounding
the brain and
spinal cord
Meningitis
Clinical Picture
Pathophysiology of meningitis
Bacteria
Penetrates BBB; endotoxin
and inflammatory
mediators initiate a CSF
inflammatory response
Causing leakage of protein and
fluid out of the cerebral
vasculature
Causing cerebral edema
and cerebral vascular
thrombosis
Edema and increased
intracranial pressure
Reduction in cerebral
perfusion and
cerebral infarction
Brain death
Kernig’s sign
• Positive Kernig’s sign
happens when the patient
experiences back pain or
when he can’t extend his
knee.
Brudzinski’s sign
• Positive brudzinski’s sign
happens when involuntary
flexion of knee and hip
happens.
CSF
Management of Meningitis
Aim of Management
Eradicate Infection
Alleviate sings &symptoms
Prevent complications
Prevention &
Chemoprophylaxis
For Anyone who has been in close contact with a
meningitis patient within seven days before the
onset of the disease is at increased risk of
contracting it themselves. With meningococcal
and Hib infections, preventative antibiotics are
usually offered to close contacts. These reduce,
but cannot eliminate, the risk of family members
or other close contacts becoming ill.
Vaccine – pre-exposure prophylaxis
Rifampin and ciprofloxacin - ideally within 24
hours after the case is identified
The most effective way to protect against
certain types of bacterial meningitis is to
complete the recommended vaccine
schedule.
There are vaccines for
three types of bacteria
that can cause
meningitis:
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)
Meningococcal conjugate
vaccines (Menactra)- Covers
Serogroups A, C, Y and W-135
Serogroup B meningococcal vaccines
(Bexsero) recommended dose of vaccine is a
single 0.5-mL subcutaneous injection