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 Hepatic failure is characterized by the development of 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…
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…
Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS) Hepatorenal syndrome is renal impairement caused by changes in renal blood flow which is related to cirrhosis and portal hypertension. There is splanchnic and systemic vasodilation and renal vasocontriction caused by bacterial translocation, cytokine release, mesenteric angiogenesis…
Hepatic Encephalopathy Hepatic encephalopathy AKA portosystemic encephalopathy is neurological dysfunction caused by excessive build up of nitrogenous waste products (glutamine) ****which cause osmotic imbalance leading to cerebral oedema. Grading of hepatic encephalopathy (West Haven) Grade Description Grade I Altered mood…
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is infection developing in the ascitic fluid and pertoneum, often without a clear source of infection e.g. ascitic tap or bowel perforation. It is most commonly caused by the gram negative rods E.…