Causes of Meningitis

Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
Updated on September 10, 2024
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The main causes of meningitis are bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiae, or other pathogens, which invade the pia mater, spinal cord, and theca mater, causing infection. Clinically, bacterial meningitis is more severe. If it is not treated promptly or if the treatment is ineffective or misdiagnosed, it may lead to death within a few hours or even cause permanent brain damage, resulting in sequelae. Meningitis can affect the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. It may also lead to secondary intracranial infections. It is important to choose antibacterial drugs and medications that nourish brain cells and alleviate cerebral edema for symptomatic treatment promptly.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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Causes of Meningitis

The main causes of meningitis are bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiae, or other pathogens, which invade the pia mater, spinal cord, and theca mater, causing infection. Clinically, bacterial meningitis is more severe. If it is not treated promptly or if the treatment is ineffective or misdiagnosed, it may lead to death within a few hours or even cause permanent brain damage, resulting in sequelae. Meningitis can affect the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater. It may also lead to secondary intracranial infections. It is important to choose antibacterial drugs and medications that nourish brain cells and alleviate cerebral edema for symptomatic treatment promptly.

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Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
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What is meningitis?

Meningitis is predominantly an inflammation that occurs in the meninges and can extend to the brain parenchyma. It is generally caused by pathogenic microorganisms, including common pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, tuberculosis bacteria, etc. The most common symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, etc. More severe cases can present with convulsions, disturbances of consciousness, or even coma. The condition can be mild or severe, and if not treated promptly, it can be fatal in serious cases.

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Written by Xie Wen
Neurology
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Is vomiting frequent in meningitis?

Is vomiting frequent in meningitis? There are generally two situations for frequent vomiting in meningitis. The first situation occurs when pathogens infect the meninges or brain tissue, leading to an inflammatory response in the brain tissue, which then causes brain edema and subsequently leads to increased intracranial pressure. When intracranial pressure increases, it can cause vomiting, and this type of vomiting becomes projectile. Therefore, when vomiting is frequent and projectile, accompanied by severe headaches, fever, or even changes in condition, it is necessary to be vigilant about the increase in intracranial pressure leading to the formation of brain herniation, a situation that must be urgently addressed. The second reason is that after the pathogen enters the blood, it invades the gastrointestinal tract. An infection of the gastrointestinal tract itself can also cause frequent vomiting, accompanied by diarrhea, or even gastrointestinal bleeding, etc.

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Written by Li Jian Wu
Pulmonology
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How is meningitis transmitted?

Meningitis, a disease primarily transmitted through close contact, airborne droplets, and poor dietary habits, is mainly caused by bacterial infections leading to purulent meningitis in clinical settings. Some cases are due to tuberculosis bacillus causing tuberculous meningitis. Additionally, there are viral forms of meningitis, most commonly from enteroviruses or Echo viruses. A minority of patients may also develop cryptococcal meningitis. Treatment should involve the use of appropriate antimicrobial drugs based on clinical symptoms and the infecting pathogen, coupled with measures to decrease intracranial pressure and relieve brain edema, ensuring early detection and treatment to prevent complications.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Differentiation between purulent meningitis and viral meningitis

Purulent meningitis and viral meningitis are different diseases. Purulent meningitis is caused by bacterial infection of the meninges. Viral meningitis is caused by viral invasion of the meninges. Generally, purulent meningitis is more severe, and patients may exhibit symptoms of systemic toxin poisoning, such as high fever, nausea, vomiting, sickly appearance, and general weakness. The symptoms of viral meningitis are relatively mild, and the fever is not particularly severe. Another important differentiation is based on the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. In viral meningitis, the lumbar puncture shows that the white blood cell count is below 1000*10^6/L, and the levels of sugar and chloride are generally normal or slightly low, with protein usually mildly elevated. In purulent meningitis, the cerebrospinal fluid shows a significant increase in white blood cell count, even reaching from 1000*10^6/L to 10000*10^6/L; the protein content is significantly increased, the sugar content is markedly decreased, and chloride levels are reduced. Additionally, bacteria can be found in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures in purulent meningitis, whereas viral meningitis cerebrospinal fluid cultures do not show bacteria.