Which of the following is NOT a common cause of meningitis?

The correct answer is that parasites are not a common cause of meningitis. Meningitis is primarily caused by infections that can be classified into several categories, with viral and bacterial infections being the most prevalent causes.

Viral meningitis is generally less severe than bacterial meningitis and is often caused by enteroviruses, which are common and prevalent. Bacterial meningitis, on the other hand, is more serious and can lead to significant complications if not treated promptly; it is often caused by bacteria such as Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae.

While parasites can theoretically cause a form of meningitis, instances are far less common and do not represent the majority of cases, which is why they are not typically recognized as a standard cause when discussing the condition. Chemicals, while potentially leading to complications in the central nervous system, do not typically cause meningitis either.

Thus, while parasitic infections can impact the central nervous system, they are much rarer as a cause of meningitis compared to viral and bacterial agents.