Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain
- usually viral
What is a bacterial brain infection?
Cerebritis
Primary vs secondary encephalitis
Primary: virus invades brain and spinal cord
Secondary: (post infectious) encephalitis
Short list of common encephalitis viruses?
Herpes
Childhood
- MMR
Arboviruses
Rabies
Toxoplasmosis
Herpes encephalitis spread by?
Reactivation
Arbovirus is spread by?
Mosquitos
Ticks
Rabies
Infected animal
VZV Cytomegalovirus are more common in?
Immunocompromised
Pathophysiology of encephalitis?
Crosses the BBB
S/s of encephalitis?
Focal and diffuse presentation
Physical signs of encephalitis
Altered mental Focal - hemiparesis - focal seizures - autonomic dysfunction Movement disorders Ataxia Cranial nerve defects Dysphagia Meningismus
MC physical finding for encephalitis?
Altered mental status and or personality changes
Diagnostics for encephalitis?
Head CT - w and w/o contrast - before LP MRI - most likely to show abnormals Electroencephalography CSF
Which diagnostics are required?
Must do a CT first
Then must do LP
- CSF analysis
Tx for encephalitis?
Supportive
How do you manage ICP?
Head elevation
Diuresis
Mannitol
Seizures
HSE is MC where?
Herpes eimplex encephalitis is MC in western countries
- still rare
What causes HSE?
Reactivation of HSV
Mortality rate for HSE?
50-75%
But 100% have long-term motor and mental disabilities
HSE s/s?
Psychiatric symptoms
Anterior opercular syndrome
Global aphasia
Disease specific
What is anterior opercular syndrome?
Benign recurrent meningitis
Diagnostic studies from HSE?
PCR DNA for HSV
CT scan
- low density
HSE tx?
Supportive
Acyclovir (zovirax)
Can actually treat this one!!
Arbovirus means?
Arthropod-borne virus