Encephalitis: Difference between revisions
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
[[File:Encephalitis.jpg|thumb]] | [[File:Encephalitis.jpg|thumb]] | ||
Encephalitis is a very severe infection caused by the inflammation of the [[Brain Anatomy|brain]] tissues. When encephalitis occur with meningitis, it is called meningoencephalitis. It is caused either as a direct infection or a sequela of a pre-existing condition. <ref name=":0">Kennedy PGE. Viral Encephalitis: Causes, Differential Diagnosis, and Management. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 2004;75 (suppl 1): i10–i15</ref><br> | Encephalitis is a very severe [[Infectious Disease|infection]] caused by the inflammation of the [[Brain Anatomy|brain]] tissues. When encephalitis occur with meningitis, it is called meningoencephalitis. It is caused either as a direct infection or a sequela of a pre-existing condition. <ref name=":0">Kennedy PGE. Viral Encephalitis: Causes, Differential Diagnosis, and Management. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 2004;75 (suppl 1): i10–i15</ref><br> | ||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
Encephalitis is caused by any of the following factors; <ref>Larner AJ. Neuropsychological Neurology: The Neurocognitive Impairments of Neurological Disorders. 2013. Cambridge University Press.</ref> | Encephalitis is caused by any of the following factors; <ref>Larner AJ. Neuropsychological Neurology: The Neurocognitive Impairments of Neurological Disorders. 2013. Cambridge University Press.</ref> | ||
* Viral infection, e.g rabies virus, HSV, poliovirus, mealses virus, bunyavirus, reovirus, etc <ref>Fisher DL, Defres S, Solomon T. Measles-induced encephalitis. QJM. 2015; 108 (3): 177–182.</ref> | * [[Viral Infections|Viral]] infection, e.g [[rabies]] virus, HSV, [[Poliomyelitis|poliovirus]], mealses virus, bunyavirus, reovirus, etc <ref>Fisher DL, Defres S, Solomon T. Measles-induced encephalitis. QJM. 2015; 108 (3): 177–182.</ref> | ||
* Bacterial infection, e.g mycoplasma, Lyme disease, Bartonella henselae, malaria, etc can result in encephalitis especially in immuno-compromised individuals. | * [[Bacterial Infections|Bacterial]] infection, e.g mycoplasma, Lyme disease, Bartonella henselae, malaria, etc can result in encephalitis especially in immuno-compromised individuals. | ||
* Autoimmune disorders | * [[Autoimmune Disorders|Autoimmune disorders]] | ||
* Some types are of unknown aetiology | * Some types are of unknown aetiology | ||
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* Seizures or convulsions | * Seizures or convulsions | ||
* Tremors | * Tremors | ||
* Stroke | * [[Stroke]] | ||
* Hallucinations | * Hallucinations | ||
* Memory problems | * Memory problems | ||
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== Medical Management == | == Medical Management == | ||
These may include; <ref name=":0" /> | These may include; <ref name=":0" /> | ||
# Antiviral medications (for viral infection) | # [[Antiviral Drugs|Antiviral]] medications (for viral infection) | ||
# Antibiotics (for bacterial infection) | # Antibiotics (for bacterial infection) | ||
# Steroids | # Steroids | ||
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# Meningitis | # Meningitis | ||
# Subdural empyema | # Subdural empyema | ||
# Meningeal carcinomatosis | # Meningeal carcinomatosis | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 12:01, 23 November 2020
- Original Editor - Kehinde Fatola
Top Contributors - Kehinde Fatola, Lucinda hampton, Kim Jackson and Nupur Smit Shah
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Encephalitis is a very severe infection caused by the inflammation of the brain tissues. When encephalitis occur with meningitis, it is called meningoencephalitis. It is caused either as a direct infection or a sequela of a pre-existing condition. [1]
Causes[edit | edit source]
Encephalitis is caused by any of the following factors; [2]
- Viral infection, e.g rabies virus, HSV, poliovirus, mealses virus, bunyavirus, reovirus, etc [3]
- Bacterial infection, e.g mycoplasma, Lyme disease, Bartonella henselae, malaria, etc can result in encephalitis especially in immuno-compromised individuals.
- Autoimmune disorders
- Some types are of unknown aetiology
Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
An adult infected with the disease typically present with; [4]
- Headache
- Confusion
- Fever
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Seizures or convulsions
- Tremors
- Stroke
- Hallucinations
- Memory problems
An infant may present with; [5]
- Irritability
- Poor appetite
- Fever
Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]
Encephalitis can be diagnosed using any of the following procedures; [1]
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to detect the inflammation
- Electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor the electrical activity of the brain
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- Urine analysis
- Blood test
Medical Management[edit | edit source]
These may include; [1]
- Antiviral medications (for viral infection)
- Antibiotics (for bacterial infection)
- Steroids
- Sedatives
- Acetaminophen
Physiotherapy Management / Interventions[edit | edit source]
- Exercise therapy
- Gait rehabilitation
- Manual therapy
- Passive motion procedures
Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
- Leptospirosis
- CNS vasculitis
- Meningoencephalitis
- Stroke
- Meningitis
- Subdural empyema
- Meningeal carcinomatosis
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kennedy PGE. Viral Encephalitis: Causes, Differential Diagnosis, and Management. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 2004;75 (suppl 1): i10–i15
- ↑ Larner AJ. Neuropsychological Neurology: The Neurocognitive Impairments of Neurological Disorders. 2013. Cambridge University Press.
- ↑ Fisher DL, Defres S, Solomon T. Measles-induced encephalitis. QJM. 2015; 108 (3): 177–182.
- ↑ Jmor F, Emsley HC, Fischer M. et al. The incidence of acute encephalitis syndrome in Western industrialised and tropical countries. Journal of Virology.2008; 5 (134): 134.
- ↑ Armangue T, Petit-Pedrol M, Dalmau J. Autoimmune Encephalitis in Children. Journal of child neurology. 2012; 27 (11): 1460–1469.
