This is an endemic disease with a high morbidity and mortality rate...The disease can be prevented with adequate interventions.

1. CEREBROSPINAL
MENINGITIS
BY
DR AFUYE OLUBUNMI
OLUSOLA
MB;BS (ILORIN)
19TH APRIL, 2017

2. INTRODUCTION
Cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM)
is also known as Meningococcal
disease or Cerebrospinal fever.
It is an infectious disease
resulting in the inflammation of
the meninges {the thin
membranes covering the brain

4. DISEASE’ NAME
This disease called
Cerebrospinal meningitis was so
named in 1873.

5. CAUSATIVE ORGANISM
•The only organism responsible for
CSM is Neisseria meningitides
(also called Diplococcus
intracellularis meningitides or
Meningococus)
•This organism has preference for
cerebral membranes

6. •It is common and naturally
widely distributed but usually
harmless. It’s found in the nose
and throat of man, this can
overwhelm the body immune
system to cause meningitis and
systemic disease to a susceptible
individual.

7. EPIDEMIOLOGY
•It occurs worldwide as endemic
and epidemic (seasonal) forms
•It is common in Asia and sub-
Sahara Africa called the “Meningitis
belt”. Countries involved includes:
Burkina Faso, Benin Republic,
Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast,
Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Mali,
Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal,

9. •There is presently an outbreak in
Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria
(involving states like Bauchi, Jigawa,
Kano, Katsina and Yobe with more
than 156 people reported deaths)
•It is a major cause of bacterial
meningitis in children and young
adults.
•It has a rapid progression and can be
fatal resulting in about 5-10% of

10. SYMPTOMS
In Babies and Young
Children
•Fever
•Vomiting
•Irritability
•Refusal to feed
•High pitched,
inconsolable or
moaning cry
•Pale shin
•Bulging or tensed
fontanel
In older children and
adults
•Severe Headache
•Stiff neck
•Fever
•photophobia
•vomiting
•altered consciousness
or coma
•features of septicaemia
like: rash, cold hands
and feet, joint and

11. INVESTIGATIONS
•Rapid diagnostic test to help
make rapid and correct diagnosis
of cases
•Blood cerebrospinal fluid tests to
identify the organism and body
response to the infection

12. TREATMENT
•Suspicion of meningitis is a
medical emergency
•Seek medical attention quickly if
you observe the following
symptoms: sudden fever, severe
headache and neck stiffness
•Early treatment can help prevent
serious complications.

13. •Drugs used in treatment of CSM
includes: Ceftriaxone, Penicillin G,
Chloramphenicol, corticosteroids
like dexamethasone. The
physician will determine the
appropriate medication and
dosage for the individual.
•Rehydration and oxygen may be

14. PREVENTION
Vaccination: routine
immunization is recommended
for adolescents (11-18 years).
However, this is not practicable
in African meningitis belt as the
vaccine only offers protection for
3-5years. Thus vaccine are
offered to involved areas on

15. Proper hygiene i.e Hand washing
Avoid direct contact with
secretions from infected person
Covering of mouth and nose
when sneezing or coughing
Avoid overcrowding
Provide adequate ventilation in
houses

16. MODE OF SPREAD
•CSM spread through droplets
(saliva and respiratory secretions)
•Prolong close contact with
infected person
•Coughing
•Sneezing
•Kissing
•Sharing of eating and drinking

17. RISK FACTORS
Age
Skipping of vaccinations
Dry weather
Dusty winds
Cold nights
Large population/overcrowding
Resent travel to states in meningitis
belt (In Nigeria they are Benue, Kaduna,
Kano, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Zamfara

18. Weak immune system resulting
from AIDS, diabetes, alcoholism,
immunosuppressive drugs
Spleen removal
Respiratory infections
Smoking
Complement deficiencies

19. PROPHYLAXIS
People who have close
contacts with infected
individuals should be placed
on either of the following
drugs:
Rifampicin
Azithromycin

20. LONG TERM EFFECTS OF CSM
Hearing loss
Blinndess
Learning impairment
Epilepsy
Behavioral, emotional and psychological
problems
Abnormal Gait
Amputation
Skin Scarring
Bone and joint damage

21. CONCLUSION
Cerebrospinal meningitis is a
disease that calls for immediate
intervention in other to secure
the lives of the general
populace.