The main factors responsible for the occurrence of Meningitis are mainly bacteria and viruses. However, meningitis is also common and is typically associated with other routine illnesses. Though, it rarely occurs when an infection in the body spreads through the blood and into the cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid covers the outside of the brain and spinal cord. Yet this infection further spreads into the brain tissue and cause brain damage. Causes of Meningitis are many and the major meningitis occurs as virus meningitis and bacteria meningitis.
Bacterial meningitis affects human beings in rare occasions. This type of meningitis results in more serious health consequences. Furthermore, the main causes of Meningitis are diagnosed to be streptococcus pneumoniae. Other non infectious causes of meningitis include systemic diseases such as SLE, sarcoidosis, Polyarteritis nodosa, Rheumatoid arthritis, toxins, certain medications and malignancies. Meningitis which is caused by non infectious agents are called sterile meningitis. It is called sterile meningitis because of nomicro organism is isolated in the spinal fluid.
Causes of Meningitis can be bacteria, viruses and fungi. Bacteria and viruses infect the skin, urinary system, gastrointestinal or respiratory tract. This can spread by the bloodstream to the meninges through cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that circulates in and around the spinal cord. In certain cases of bacterial meningitis, the bacteria can spread to the meninges from a severe head trauma or a severe local infection, such as a serious ear infection (otitis media) or nasal sinus infection (sinusitis).
According to studies different types of bacteria can cause bacterial meningitis. Bacteria such as Group B streptococcus is in charge of causing neonatal meningitis. Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes are common in new born and cause meningitis. The kids are affected by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). Other types of bacteria like Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) is the origin of Meningococcal meningitis and Pneumococcus bacteria cause Pneumococcal meningitis. Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) is also considered harmful for the illness. Besides the bacteria, several viruses are responsible for the Causes of Meningitis. Enteroviruses such as coxsackievirus, poliovirus, and hepatitis A) and the herpesvirus cause meningitis.
Several other conditions are held responsible for the cause of Meningitis. This disease may occur for various non-infectious factors such as spread of cancer to the meninges or malignant meningitis and certain drugs. Meningitis is also caused by several inflammatory conditions such as sarcoidosis, connective tissue disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus, and certain forms of vasculitis (inflammatory conditions of the blood vessel wall). Epidermoid cysts and dermoid cysts may cause meningitis by releasing irritant matter into the subarachnoid space. Meningitis is a serious infection which is considered to be life threatening and is the cause of such long-term consequences including hearing or vision problems. This type of ailment requires immediate medical attention.
