SAN PEDRO COLLEGE
Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science
A Case Study in
Microbiology
Meningitis
,Objectives:
At the end of this case study, the medical laboratory science students will assess the medical
diagnosis based on the given case study and obtain new knowledge about acute meningitis,
its effects, and manifestation on the human body.
This study specifically aims to:
1. Define the diagnosis made regarding the signs and symptoms and other information
obtained from the patient and provide supporting details.
2. To discuss the pathophysiology of the disease and describe the anatomy and
physiology of the affected organs.
3. To recommend laboratory procedures and tests that will be useful in supporting the
diagnosis made in the case of the patient.
4. To discuss other treatment modalities and to offer a holistic approach to the
management of the patient.
5. To give possible medications and treatment and recommended practices that should
be done and activities that should be avoided.
, CHAPTER I
Introduction to the Case
Meningitis came from a greek word “meninx” which means “membrane” and the
suffix “-itis” which means “inflammation”. It is an inflammation or swelling of the protective
membranes covering the brain and spinal cord called meninges. According to the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the usual cause of swelling is a bacterial or viral
infection in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. However, there are also other
scenarios that may lead to meningitis such as injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types
of infections.
Meningitis symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck. There
are often other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and sometimes altered
mental status or confusion. There are five types of meningitis and these are bacterial, viral,
parasitic, fungal, amebic and non-infectious meningitis. Their difference lies in the cause and
severity of the onset and development of the signs and symptoms. With this, knowing the
specific cause of meningitis is important because the treatment also differs depending on the
cause of the said disease.
Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria and can be deadly if left untreated thus,
it requires immediate medical attention. Some people with the infection die and death can
occur in as little as a few hours. However, most people recover from bacterial meningit is.
Unfortunately, those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage,
hearing loss, and learning disabilities. It is also noted that some people diagnosed with
bacterial meningitis can have seizures, go into a coma, which eventually leads to death. The
bacteria that commonly cause meningitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group B
Streptococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, and
Escherichia coli. The bacteria which causes tuberculosis known as the Mycobacterium
tuberculosis can also cause meningitis but is less common. When this happens, it is termed
as Tuberculosis (TB) meningitis. It is also to be noted that certain age groups are affected by
certain bacteria. Bacterial meningitis in the newborns is usually caused by Group B
Streptococcus, S. pneumoniae, L. monocytogenes, and E. coli. For babies and young children,
the bacteria in question are S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, H. influenzae, group B
Streptococcus, and M. tuberculosis. For teens and young adults, N. meningitidis and S.
pneumoniae are usually the cause. Lastly, for older adults, S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis,
H. influenzae, group B Streptococcus, and L. monocytogenes are the culprits of the disease.
Specific germs that cause bacterial meningitis, such as L. monocytogenes, can spread through
food. But most of these germs spread from person to person. Vaccines are the most effective
way to protect against certain types of bacterial meningitis. There are 4 available vaccines
that protect against bacterial meningitis namely the meningococcal vaccines, pneumococcal
vaccines, Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccines and Bacille Calmette-Guérin
vaccine. These vaccines help protect against N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus
influenzae serotype b and tuberculosis meningitis disease respectively.
Viral meningitis is caused by viruses. This can be dangerous but not as bad as the
bacterial meningitis. People who are immuno-competent can recover and get better on their
own. Most people with mild viral meningitis usually get better on their own within 7 to 10
days. According to the CDC, this is the most common type of meningitis. Babies younger than
1 month old and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness
from viral meningitis. In the USA, the most common virus that causes meningitis is the non-
polio enterovirus. Other viruses that can cause meningitis are the mumps virus,
herpesviruses, measles virus, influenza virus, arboviruses such as the west nile virus and
Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science
A Case Study in
Microbiology
Meningitis
,Objectives:
At the end of this case study, the medical laboratory science students will assess the medical
diagnosis based on the given case study and obtain new knowledge about acute meningitis,
its effects, and manifestation on the human body.
This study specifically aims to:
1. Define the diagnosis made regarding the signs and symptoms and other information
obtained from the patient and provide supporting details.
2. To discuss the pathophysiology of the disease and describe the anatomy and
physiology of the affected organs.
3. To recommend laboratory procedures and tests that will be useful in supporting the
diagnosis made in the case of the patient.
4. To discuss other treatment modalities and to offer a holistic approach to the
management of the patient.
5. To give possible medications and treatment and recommended practices that should
be done and activities that should be avoided.
, CHAPTER I
Introduction to the Case
Meningitis came from a greek word “meninx” which means “membrane” and the
suffix “-itis” which means “inflammation”. It is an inflammation or swelling of the protective
membranes covering the brain and spinal cord called meninges. According to the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the usual cause of swelling is a bacterial or viral
infection in the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. However, there are also other
scenarios that may lead to meningitis such as injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types
of infections.
Meningitis symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck. There
are often other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and sometimes altered
mental status or confusion. There are five types of meningitis and these are bacterial, viral,
parasitic, fungal, amebic and non-infectious meningitis. Their difference lies in the cause and
severity of the onset and development of the signs and symptoms. With this, knowing the
specific cause of meningitis is important because the treatment also differs depending on the
cause of the said disease.
Bacterial meningitis is caused by bacteria and can be deadly if left untreated thus,
it requires immediate medical attention. Some people with the infection die and death can
occur in as little as a few hours. However, most people recover from bacterial meningit is.
Unfortunately, those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage,
hearing loss, and learning disabilities. It is also noted that some people diagnosed with
bacterial meningitis can have seizures, go into a coma, which eventually leads to death. The
bacteria that commonly cause meningitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group B
Streptococcus, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, and
Escherichia coli. The bacteria which causes tuberculosis known as the Mycobacterium
tuberculosis can also cause meningitis but is less common. When this happens, it is termed
as Tuberculosis (TB) meningitis. It is also to be noted that certain age groups are affected by
certain bacteria. Bacterial meningitis in the newborns is usually caused by Group B
Streptococcus, S. pneumoniae, L. monocytogenes, and E. coli. For babies and young children,
the bacteria in question are S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis, H. influenzae, group B
Streptococcus, and M. tuberculosis. For teens and young adults, N. meningitidis and S.
pneumoniae are usually the cause. Lastly, for older adults, S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis,
H. influenzae, group B Streptococcus, and L. monocytogenes are the culprits of the disease.
Specific germs that cause bacterial meningitis, such as L. monocytogenes, can spread through
food. But most of these germs spread from person to person. Vaccines are the most effective
way to protect against certain types of bacterial meningitis. There are 4 available vaccines
that protect against bacterial meningitis namely the meningococcal vaccines, pneumococcal
vaccines, Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) vaccines and Bacille Calmette-Guérin
vaccine. These vaccines help protect against N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae, Haemophilus
influenzae serotype b and tuberculosis meningitis disease respectively.
Viral meningitis is caused by viruses. This can be dangerous but not as bad as the
bacterial meningitis. People who are immuno-competent can recover and get better on their
own. Most people with mild viral meningitis usually get better on their own within 7 to 10
days. According to the CDC, this is the most common type of meningitis. Babies younger than
1 month old and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness
from viral meningitis. In the USA, the most common virus that causes meningitis is the non-
polio enterovirus. Other viruses that can cause meningitis are the mumps virus,
herpesviruses, measles virus, influenza virus, arboviruses such as the west nile virus and
