Meningoencephalitis
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Clinically Relevant Anatomy[edit | edit source]
Meninges are 3 thin layers that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. They are the dura matter, arachnoid matter and pia matter. These meninges provide a support system for blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics and the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds your central nervous system[1]. Meningoencephalitis is a neurological condition resembling both meningitis, which is the inflammation of the meninges, and encephalitis, which is the inflammation of the brain tissue[2].
Pathological Process[edit | edit source]
Meningoencephalitis is the result of direct embolization to meningeal vessels, with subsequent parenchymal or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) invasion of the infecting organism[3].
Causes[edit | edit source]
Meningoencephalitis is caused by various bacterial, viral and protozoan infection. Some of them are; [4]
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Neisseria meningitidis
- Rickettsia prowazekii
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Tuberculosis
- Borrelia (Lyme disease)
- Leptospirosis
- Tick-borne meningoencephalitis
- West Nile virus
- Measles
- [Epstein-Barr Virus|Epstein-Barr]] virus
- Varicella-zoster virus
- Enterovirus
- Herpes simplex virus type 1
- Herpes simplex virus type 2
- Mumps virus
- HIV
3. Protozoas
- Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, e.g., Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, Sappinia diploidea
- Trypanosoma brucei
- Toxoplasma gondii (sporozoa)
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
As the disease is a combination of two very serious neurological conditions, it is linked with severe morbidity and high mortality rate.
Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]
Patients present with symptoms of both meningitis and encephalitis.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Meningoencephalitis can be dignosed through any of the following like meningitis and encephalitis;
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- Urine analysis
- Blood test
Management / Intervention[edit | edit source]
Intervention is generally symptomatic and may include various management strategies of meningitis and encephaliti depending on which symptoms are expressed as related to both medical and Physiotherapy managements.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Greenberg RW, Lane EL, Cinnamon J, Farmer P, Hyman RA. The cranial meninges: anatomic considerations. InSeminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI 1994 Dec 1 (Vol. 15, No. 6, pp. 454-465). WB Saunders.
- ↑ Sapra H, Singhal V. Managing meningoencephalitis in indian icu. Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine: Peer-reviewed, Official Publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine. 2019 Jun;23(Suppl 2):S124.
- ↑ Aminoff M. Josephson SA. Aminoff's Neurology and General Medicine.6th Edition. Elsevier Science & Technology. 2021.
- ↑ Newton PJ, Newsholme W, Brink NS, Manji H, Williams IG, Miller RF. Acute meningoencephalitis and meningitis due to primary HIV infection. British Medical Journal (Clinical research ed.). 2002;325 (7374): 1225–7.
- ↑ Del Saz SV, Sued O Falcó V, Agüero F Crespo M, Pumarola T, Curran A, Gatell JM. Acute meningoencephalitis due to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in 13 patients: clinical description and follow-up. Journal of neurovirology. 2008;14 (6): 474–9.
