MI6.1-3 | Central Nervous System Infections — Practice Quiz

A 10-day-old neonate presents with fever, poor feeding, and a bulging anterior fontanelle. CSF is turbid with 3,200 neutrophils/mm³, protein 280 mg/dL, and glucose 18 mg/dL (blood glucose 90 mg/dL). Which organism is MOST likely responsible?

A lumbar puncture yields turbid CSF with opening pressure 280 mm H₂O, 1,800 WBC/mm³ (92% neutrophils), protein 320 mg/dL, and glucose 15 mg/dL with simultaneous blood glucose 85 mg/dL. This CSF pattern is MOST consistent with:

On Gram stain of a CSF centrifuged pellet, you observe gram-negative bean-shaped diplococci arranged in pairs with adjacent sides flattened, predominantly located inside neutrophils. The MOST likely organism is:

The MOST common route by which bacteria reach the meninges to cause bacterial meningitis is:

A 38-year-old woman has a 3-week history of progressively worsening headache, low-grade fever, and neck stiffness. LP shows 180 WBC/mm³ (85% lymphocytes), protein 220 mg/dL, glucose 30 mg/dL (blood glucose 95 mg/dL). The CSF appears xanthochromic and forms a cobweb clot on standing. Which diagnosis is MOST likely?

A 35-year-old HIV-positive man (CD4 count 45 cells/μL) presents with 2 weeks of headache, fever, and neck stiffness. CSF India ink preparation shows round budding yeast cells surrounded by a clear halo. Which test is MOST appropriate to confirm the diagnosis?

A 22-year-old college student presents with 3 days of fever, headache, photophobia, and neck stiffness. LP reveals: clear CSF, 380 WBC/mm³ (95% lymphocytes), protein 75 mg/dL, glucose 60 mg/dL (blood glucose 95 mg/dL). This CSF profile is MOST consistent with:

Which of the following BEST distinguishes encephalitis from meningitis clinically?

A 28-year-old presents with 5 days of high fever, confusion, bizarre behaviour, and a focal seizure affecting the right arm. MRI shows T2 signal hyperintensity in the left temporal lobe. Which virus is MOST likely responsible, and what is the treatment of choice?

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is transmitted by which vector, and which test is recommended for laboratory confirmation in India?