meningitis
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GC: n

S: WHO – http://www.who.int/topics/meningitis/en/ (last access: 6 April 2016); http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Meningitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx (last access: 4 September 2014); DORLAND.

N: 1. “inflammation of the meninges,” 1825, coined from Modern Latin meninga, from Greek meninx (genitive meningos) “membrane,” in medical Latin especially that of the brain (see member) + -itis “disease.” Related: Meningitic.
2. Meningitis can be caused by various infectious agents, including viruses, fungi, and protozoans, but bacteria produce the most life-threatening forms. The patient usually experiences fever, headache, vomiting, irritability, anorexia, and stiffness in the neck.
3. Infections (viral, bacterial, and fungal) are the most common causes of this condition, but subarachnoid hemorrhage (chemical meningitis), granulomatous conditions, neoplastic conditions (e.g., carcinomatous meningitis), and other inflammatory conditions may produce this syndrome.
4. Cultural Interrelation: We can mention The constant gardener (2000) by John le Carré, adapted as a movie by the same name, directed by Fernando Meirelles in 2005.

S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=meningitis&searchmode=none (last access. 4 September 2014). 2. Enc.Brit – http://global.britannica.com/science/meningitis (last access: 4 September 2014). 3. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 4 September 2014). 4. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19000.The_Constant_Gardener (last access: 2 May 2016); http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387131/ (last access: 2.05.2016).

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CR: encephalitis, listeriosis.