Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes (meninges) covering the brain and the spinal cord. Although the most common causes are infection (Bacter Ia-l, VirAl, [FungAl] or [Parasit Ic]), chemical agents and even tumor cells may cause meningitis.

There are infectious and non-infectious varieties:

• infectious

  • VirUs-es are the most common cause of meningitis. ([Viral Meningitis])

  • Major Bacter Ia that cause [Bacterial Meningitis] are [Neisseria Meningitidis] (meningococcus), [Streptococcus Pneumoniae] (pneumococcus) and [Haemophilus Influenzae]. Less-common bacterial causes include Listeria monocytogenes, [Lyme Disease] ([Borrelia Burgdorferi]), Staphylococcus and [Escherichia Coli]/EColi. In developing countries, [Mycobacterium Tuberculosis] is a common cause of bacterial meningitis. [Streptococcus Agalactiae] ([GBS] - see Strep Throat) is an important cause of neonatal meningitis associated with a high mortality rate.

    • Newborns and infants with meningitis may lack the classical signs described above and simply be extremely irritable or lethargic. Normally, infants who are not feeling well will be comforted when their mothers pick them up. However, a baby who has meningitis may display something called paradoxical irritability - when picking up and rocking a child makes the child more distressed. This can be a sign of irritated meninges.

    • In most cases, the reason that the meninges have become infected is never determined.

  • In immunocompromised patients, [FungAl] meningitis may occur, typically caused by [Cryptococcus Neoformans].

• non-infectious: tumors, drugs, [Lead Poisoning]

[Bacterial Meningitis] has a high mortality rate if it goes untreated and is thus a severe medical emergency. All suspected cases, however mild, need emergency medical attention. Early treatment of bacterial meningitis is important to its outcome. Strong doses of general Anti Biotic-s may be prescribed first, followed by intravenous antibiotics in more severe cases. Broad spectrum antibiotics should be started even before the culture results are available, on the presumption that all cases are bacterial in nature, until otherwise proven.

Unlike bacteria, viruses cannot be killed by antibiotics.

Infection of the meninges usually originates through spread from infection of the neighbouring structures (which include the sinuses and mastoid cells of the ear). These should be investigated when diagnosis of meningitis is confirmed or suspected. Infected sinuses may need to be drained.

If there is a risk of neonatal meningitis caused by [Streptococcus Agalactiae] (Group B Streptococcus), then ampicillin, penicillin G , or clindamycin (Anti Biotic) may be used during childbirth. (see Strep Throat)

The largest Epidem Ic Out Break was in 1996, when over 250,000 cases occurred and 25,000 people died as a consequence of the disease. (in AfricA)

The symptoms of meningitis were recorded in the Middle Ages along with those of tuberculosis and the Black Death, but it was first accurately identified by the Swiss Vieusseux (a scientific-literary association,) during an Out Break in Geneva, Switzerland in 1805.

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