29. Purulent meningitis

Organ: Brain + meninges

Description:

The meninges are the thin fibrous layer on top of the brain. The veins on the surface of the brain are dilated. In the middle of the preparation, under the meninges can some white fluid be seen.

Diagnosis: Purulent meningitis

Causes:

Bacterial infection
In infants: E. coli
In other age groups:
- Meningococcus
- Pneumococcus
- Listeria (rare)

Theory:

Purulent meningitis is a type of purulent acute inflammation. It’s also an empyema because the exudate is inside the subarachnoid space, which is a normal anatomical space. The exudate is comprised of pus comprised of neutrophils, bacteria and dead tissue. The veins are dilated because of the inflammation.

Symptoms are:

Severe headache
Fever
Stiff neck
Photophobia
Sepsis

If the purulent meningitis is caused by the meningococcus bacteria and the patient develops sepsis will the patient develop a complication called Waterhouse-Friederichsen syndrome (WFS). The endotoxins produced by the meningococcus causes haemorrhagic necrosis of the adrenal glands. The glands cannot produce hormones anymore, and the lack of aldosterone production disrupts the fluid and ion regulation in the body which can cause death.