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'''For patient information, click [[Encephalitis (patient information)|here]]'''
__NOTOC__
{{Encephalitis}}
{{Viral encephalitis}}
{{CMG}}
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} [[Priyamvada Singh|Priyamvada Singh, MBBS]] [mailto:psingh13579@gmail.com]; {{AG}}


==Overview==
==Overview==


'''Encephalitis''' is an [[Acute (medical)|acute]] [[inflammation]] of the [[brain]], commonly caused by a [[virus|viral]] [[infection]]. Sometimes, encephalitis can result from a [[bacteria]]l infection, such as bacterial [[meningitis]], or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like [[rabies]] (viral) or [[syphilis]] (bacterial). Certain [[parasitic]] or [[protozoa]]l infestations, such as [[toxoplasmosis]], [[malaria]], or [[primary amoebic meningoencephalitis]], can also cause encephalitis in people with [[immune deficiency|compromised]] [[immune system]]s. Brain damage occurs as the inflamed brain pushes against the skull, and can lead to death.
Encephalitis is an [[Acute (medical)|acute]] [[inflammation]] of the [[brain]], commonly caused by a [[virus|viral]] [[infection]]. Diagnosis is often made with detection of antibodies against specific viral agent (such as herpes simplex virus) or by [[polymerase chain reaction]] that amplifies the [[RNA]] or [[DNA]] of the virus responsible. Other lab tests that might be useful are  complete blood count with differential, coagulation profile, serum electrolyte, urine electrolyte, serum glucose, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels (to rule out confusion due to dehydration), liver function test (to rule out hepatic involvement), lumbar puncture and CSF examination.
==Lab tests==
Adult patients with encephalitis present with acute onset of fever, headache, confusion, and sometimes seizures. Younger children or infants may present with irritability, anorexia and fever.
Neurological examinations usually reveal a drowsy or confused patient. Stiff neck, due to the irritation of the meninges covering the brain, indicates that the patient has either meningitis or meningeoncephalitis. Examination of the [[cerebrospinal fluid]] obtained by a [[lumbar puncture]] procedure usually reveals increased amounts of protein and white blood cells with normal glucose, though in a significant percentage of patients, the cerebrospinal fluid may be normal. [[Computed tomography|CT scan]] often is not helpful, as cerebral abscess is uncommon. Cerebral abscess is more common in patients with meningitis  than encephalitis. Bleeding is also uncommon except in patients with [[herpes simplex]] type 1 encephalitis. [[Magnetic resonance imaging]] offers better resolution. In patients with herpes simplex encephalitis, electroencephalograph may show sharp waves in one or both of the temporal lobes. Lumbar puncture procedure is performed only after the possibility of prominent brain swelling is excluded by a CT scan examination. Diagnosis is often made with detection of antibodies against specific viral agent (such as herpes simplex virus) or by [[polymerase chain reaction]] that amplifies the [[RNA]] or [[DNA]] of the virus responsible.


==See also==
==Laboratory Findings==
* [[Complete blood count]] with differential
*[[Coagulation profile]]
* Serum electrolyte {helps to rule out [[syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone]] (SIADH)}
* Urine electrolyte {helps to rule out syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)}
* Serum glucose (helps to rule out confusion due to [[hypoglycemia]], [[diabetic ketoacidosis]] and comparing serum glucose with CSF glucose)
* [[Blood urea nitrogen]] and serum [[creatinine]] levels (to rule out confusion due to dehydration)
* [[Liver function test]] (to rule out hepatic involvement
* [[Lumbar puncture]] and [[CSF]] examination. Examination of the [[cerebrospinal fluid]] obtained by a [[lumbar puncture]] procedure usually reveals increased amounts of protein and [[white blood cell]]s with normal glucose, though in a significant percentage of patients, the cerebrospinal fluid may be normal. Lumbar puncture procedure is performed only after the possibility of prominent brain swelling is excluded by a CT scan examination.
* Culture of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, or urine (however, this test is rarely useful)
* Tests that detect antibodies to a virus (serology tests)
* Test that detects tiny amounts of virus DNA ([[polymerase chain reaction]]-- PCR)
 
===For Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis click [[Cerebrospinal fluid|here]]===
 
===Herpes Simplex Virus===
* Culture - Herpetic lesion, CSF
* Tzanck smear
 
===Bacteria===
* Blood culture
===Arbovirus===
* Complement fixation antibodies
===Epstein-Barr Virus===
* Heterophile antibody & cold agglutinin test
 
===Serological Test===
* For antibody detection
 
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
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[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
[[Category:Neurological disorders]]
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[[Category:Overview complete]]
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Latest revision as of 00:40, 30 July 2020

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [2]; Anthony Gallo, B.S. [3]

Overview

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. Diagnosis is often made with detection of antibodies against specific viral agent (such as herpes simplex virus) or by polymerase chain reaction that amplifies the RNA or DNA of the virus responsible. Other lab tests that might be useful are complete blood count with differential, coagulation profile, serum electrolyte, urine electrolyte, serum glucose, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels (to rule out confusion due to dehydration), liver function test (to rule out hepatic involvement), lumbar puncture and CSF examination.

Laboratory Findings

For Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis click here

Herpes Simplex Virus

  • Culture - Herpetic lesion, CSF
  • Tzanck smear

Bacteria

  • Blood culture

Arbovirus

  • Complement fixation antibodies

Epstein-Barr Virus

  • Heterophile antibody & cold agglutinin test

Serological Test

  • For antibody detection

References

Template:WikiDoc Sources