Acute bronchitis Infection and inflammation of the bronchi (upper airways). Key symptoms include fever, sputum, and cough. A chest X-ray is needed to rule out pneumonia. Treatment is optional, especially if the case is mild. Chronic bronchitis An exacerbation of…
Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan that takes refuge in the brain mucosa. Causes symptoms similar to a brain abscess due to multiple space-occupying lesions.
Rabies Rabies is caused by the Rabies virus (genus Lyssavirus), which commonly inhabits the salivary glands and brain. It is spread through bites or licks on injured tissue, typically from infected animals (dogs, bats, etc.). Rabies has an unpredictable incubation…
Cryptococcal Meningitis Cryptococcal menigitis is an invasive fungal infection of the central nervous system caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gatti. It is common in immunocompromised patients and presents as a “meningoencephalitis” rather than a pure meningitis since brain parenchyma…
TB Meningitis CNS tuberculosis can occur as meningitis (the most common form), intracranial tuberculomas or spinal tuberculous arachnoiditis. It usually occurs following dissemination after primary infection (in children and young adults) or during reactivation as part of miliary TB. The…
Cerebral abscess A cerebral abscess is a focal collection of pus within the brain parenchyma (a big pus tumour). Abscesses may occur in single or multiple sites, and the site of collection correlates with the sourc eof infection. Initial infection…
Encephalitis Encephalitis is an infection and inflammation of the brain parenchyma resulting in neurological dysfunction. The common causes of encephalitis are viruses (HSV, CMV, VZV, West Nile). The most common entry point is the olfactory nerves. It commonly affects the…
Meningitis Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the meningeal linings. It is important to start IV empiric therapy (ideally, treatment should be started as soon as CSF analysis results are back). The #1 cause of meningitis is Streptococcus pneumoniae.…
Hepatic failure is characterised by coagulopathy (INR > 1.5) and encephalopathy. It may be sudden or chronic and often occurs in patients with cirrhosis (chronic hepatic failure). Definition of terms Term Definition Acute hepatic failure Liver failure occuring suddenly in a previously healthy…
Ascites Ascites refers to the presence of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. It can be due to increased hydrostatic pressure in the portal system, decreased oncotic pressure bdue to hypoalbuminaemia and/or increased permeability of vessels in the abdominal circulation. Causes…