A child is brought to the hospital with a high fever, nausea, and vomiting, and complaining of headache. The cerebrospinal fluid collected by spinal tap is cloudy and contains spherical cells which stain Gram-positive. These signs and symptoms are consistent with
A) primary amebic encephalitis caused by Naegleria.
B) cryptococcal meningitis due to infection with Cryptococcus neoformans.
C) bacterial meningitis probably due to Streptococcus.
D) tetanus resulting from infection with Clostridium botulinum.
E) aseptic meningitis from infection with Neisseria meningitidis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are consistent with bacterial meningitis, and Gram-positive spherical cells in the cerebrospinal fluid suggest a bacterial cause. Streptococcus is a common causative agent of bacterial meningitis. Aseptic meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis would present with similar symptoms but the cerebrospinal fluid would be purulent rather than cloudy, and the cells would stain Gram-negative. Primary amebic encephalitis caused by Naegleria would present with more dramatic symptoms such as seizures and altered mental status, and the cerebrospinal fluid would not contain bacteria. Cryptococcal meningitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans would have a more chronic course and a less acute presentation. Tetanus is not caused by Clostridium botulinum but rather by Clostridium tetani, and would present with muscle spasms rather than fever and headache.

A Child Is Brought to the Hospital with a High