Bacterial Meningitis. Essay Example

1. Why did you choose the diseases?

Bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening disease that requires serious prevention and management. It involves acute inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis is a fatal disease since most infected individuals acquire effects such as epilepsy, memory loss, and deafness (van de Beek et al., 2016). However, several people can fully recover from the illness. The essence of choosing the disease is to explain its facts, the bacteria causing it, signs, and damages associated with it. People of any age can get affected, but mostly, young children are at a higher risk.

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2. What is the history of the disease?

The outbreak of bacterial meningitis was first diagnosed in Geneva in the year 1805 (van de Beek et al., 2016). It was later recorded in other states like Europe and the United States. Moreover, the first outbreak of the disease in Africa was described in 1840. Numerous people suffered and died of the disease. Anton Vaykselbaum, who was in bacteriology, wrote the first evidence of the cause of meningitis linking it to a bacterial infection. Heinrick Quinckel used the Lumbar puncture technique to analyze cerebrospinal fluid in an effort to diagnose the disease.

3. What organism is causing the disease?

Some strains of bacteria cause bacterial meningitis. One of the bacteria is Streptococcus pneumoniae (van de Beek et al., 2016). The bacterium causes the disease mostly in young children and adults. Moreover, it leads to ear or sinus infection and also pneumonia. Another bacterium is meningococcus. It causes meningococcal meningitis after entering the bloodstream. The bacterium can also lead to upper respiratory infection. Haemophilus influenza is another organism that causes bacterial meningitis in young children. Hib vaccines are used to minimize the cases arising from the disease.

Nevertheless, Listeria monocytogenes, which are contained in unpasteurized cheeses or lunch meats, cause the disease. People associated with a weakened immune system easily contract the disease. In pregnant women, Listeria can pass through the placental barrier affecting the baby.

4. What is the life cycle of this organism?

The bacteria enter the body by air or through body contact. The bacteria cell enters into the bloodstream. It then attacks the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Binary fission occurs where the bacteria replicates (Meningitis Research Foundation of Canada, 2017). The bacterial meningitis genome is composed of plasmid DNA that carries some genes. The bacteria transport fragments of DNA into its cell wall, thus exchanging genetic information. Moreover, the DNA fragments are also transported to the cytoplasm. It adds them to its bacterialgenome.

5. What is this disease-causing in a cell?

Bacterial meningitis destroys endothelial cells, especially during the invasion. The toxins secreted by the bacteria also damage the cells. Additionally, the disease causes complete or partial depletion of perivascular and meningeal macrophages. It leads to a reduced number of leukocytes entering cerebrospinal fluid. The condition causes the malfunctioning of mast cells. It makes the cells inefficient in protecting cerebral vasculature from bacterial infection.

6. What is the disease-causing in an organ?

It causes inflammation of the brain. Problems such as brain seizures and cognitive impairment can occur. Brain swelling can lead to partial hearing loss, tinnitus, or even deafness(Majumder et al., 2019). The disease may lead to pain in the eyes. Loss of vision is also associated with the disease. Deterioration of the kidney and lungs may also occur. Moreover, fingers, arms, and legs are at a higher risk of amputation due to poor circulation. Bacterial meningitis makes the neck, spine, or head rigid or arched, which is a painful experience.

7. What is the disease-causing in an organ system?

The central nervous system is composed of nerves, brain, and spinal cord. Bacterial meningitis causes the membranes that protect the nervous system to become swollen. The disease affects the circulatory system. Increased bacteria in the bloodstream release toxins leading to septicemia, which is a fatal condition (Majumder et al., 2019). The disease causes reduced blood pressure and low circulation. Blood vessels are thus damaged. The skin or integumentary system is also affected. The skin becomes flushed due to septicemia. Eventually, skin rashes spread, becoming darker and larger. In skeletal and muscular systems, the disease causes stiffness in the neck and back. Nevertheless, joint stiffness is also associated with bacterial meningitis. Muscle weaknesses are also another symptom of the disease.

8. How is the disease affecting the human body?

Some of the symptoms of bacterial meningitis may include nausea and vomiting. Fever, headache, and general body weakness are also signs associated with the disease. Some patients are usually confused due to memory loss. In children, the disease causes a loss of appetite (McGill et al., 2016). Faster breathing is also witnessed in children with bacterial meningitis. Moreover, children are usually irritable and cry a lot. Some patients might acquire a permanent disability, especially in learning capabilities.

9. Is there any cure?

Bacterial meningitis is a severe and deadly disease. Some patients might die from the disease. However, most people usually recover from it. It is a curable disease if correct drugs are taken correctly. Early diagnosis of the disease makes it possible for most patients to be cured(Majumder et al., 2019). Inadequate medications can cause the disease incurable. This is the reason why people still die of the disease since they are not entirely healed.

10. Is there any treatment available?

Bacterial meningitis treatment involves admission in the hospital or even intensive care units. Antibiotics are issued to the patient intravenously. Corticosteroids are given in the case where inflammation leads to pressure in the brain (Majumder et al., 2019). Moreover, paracetamol is also given to the patient, accompanied by cold sponge baths, to minimize fever. Patients with seizures are given anticonvulsants like Dilantin. In the case of vomiting, fluids are administered to the patient to prevent dehydration. Additionally, for irritable and restless patients, seductive drugs are issued.

11. What needs to be done in the future?

Bacterial meningitis is preventable. People should protect themselves from the disease by maintaining appropriate health habits. These might include; avoiding smoking, avoiding close contact with patients, and getting plenty of rest. Moreover, researchers, doctors, and scientists should make a better predictions on future cases or trajectories of bacterial meningitis. They should develop better and new drugs and vaccines to treat and control the disease.

References

van de Beek, D., Brouwer, M., Hasbun, R., Koedel, U., Whitney, C. G., & Wijdicks, E. (2016). Community-acquired bacterial meningitis. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2(1), 1-20.

McGill, F., Heyderman, R. S., Panagiotou, S., Tunkel, A. R., & Solomon, T. (2016). Acute bacterial meningitis in adults. The Lancet, 388(10063), 3036-3047.

Majumder, E., Bell, K., Bayer, M. and Woodruff, L., 2019. Bacterial Meningitis. https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/u.osu.edu/dist/c/47804/files/2017/08/Meningitis-2es8tui.pdf