Encephalitis: diagnosis, management and recent advances in the field of encephalitides

Alam, Ali M ORCID: 0000-0001-6014-3263, Easton, Ava, Nicholson, Timothy R, Irani, Sarosh R, Davies, Nicholas WS, Solomon, Tom ORCID: 0000-0001-7266-6547 and Michael, Benedict D ORCID: 0000-0002-8693-8926 (2023) Encephalitis: diagnosis, management and recent advances in the field of encephalitides. POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL JOURNAL, 99 (1174). pp. 815-825.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/postgradmedj-2022-141812

Abstract

Encephalitis describes inflammation of the brain parenchyma, typically caused by either an infectious agent or through an autoimmune process which may be postinfectious, paraneoplastic or idiopathic. Patients can present with a combination of fever, alterations in behaviour, personality, cognition and consciousness. They may also exhibit focal neurological deficits, seizures, movement disorders and/or autonomic instability. However, it can sometimes present non-specifically, and this combined with its many causes make it a difficult to manage neurological syndrome. Despite improved treatments in some forms of encephalitides, encephalitis remains a global concern due to its high mortality and morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and administration of specific and supportive management options can lead to better outcomes. Over the last decade, research in encephalitis has led to marked developments in the understanding, diagnosis and management of encephalitis. In parallel, the number of autoimmune encephalitis syndromes has rapidly expanded and clinically characteristic syndromes in association with pathogenic autoantibodies have been defined. By focusing on findings presented at the Encephalitis Society's conference in December 2021, this article reviews the causes, clinical manifestations and management of encephalitis and integrate recent advances and challenges of research into encephalitis.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	neuropathology, adult neurology, infectious disease, HIV
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Clinical Directorate Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	08 Jul 2022 14:00
Last Modified:	23 Aug 2023 10:39
DOI:	10.1136/postgradmedj-2022-141812
Open Access URL:	https://pmj.bmj.com/content/early/2022/06/22/postg...
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3158024