Meningitis is characterized by inflammation of the meninges and is commonly caused by

• A. brain tissue infection due to trauma.
• B. brain abscess formation.
• C. blood vessel inflammation due to autoimmune disease.
• D. bacterial or viral infection; treated with antibiotics or antiviral therapy.

Answer: (D)

Meningitis is an inflammatory process of the membranes (meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord that is most often driven by infectious agents. The typical culprits are bacteria or viruses, which invade or spread to the meninges. Because of the infectious cause, treatment targets the organism: bacterial meningitis requires antibiotics given promptly, while viral meningitis is managed with antiviral therapy when appropriate (or supportive care if no specific antiviral is needed). This distinguishes meningitis from conditions like brain tissue infection from trauma, brain abscess within the brain tissue, or autoimmune vasculitis, which affect different structures or processes. So describing meningitis as caused by bacterial or viral infection and treated with antibiotics or antivirals matches both the cause and the management of the condition.