encephalitis Flashcards

1
Q

definition of encephalitis

A

inflammation of the brain parenchyma

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2
Q

aetiology of encephalitis

A

viral - mainly

non-viral

immunocompromised

  • CMV
  • toxoplasmosis
  • listeria

autoimmune or paraneoplastic

  • Ab - eg anti-NMDA or anti-VGKC
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3
Q

viral causes of encephalitis

A

HSV1 and 2 - most common in UK

herpes zoster

mumps

adenovirus

coxsackie

echovirus

enterviruses

measles

EBV

HIV

rabies - Asia

Nipah (malaysia)

arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes eg japanese B encephalitis (Asia), St. Louis and West Nile encephalitis (USA).

VZV

tick-borne encephalitis

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4
Q

non-viral causes of encephalitis

A

syphillis

staphyloccocal aureus

bacterial meningitis

TB

malaria

lyme disease

legionella

leptospirosis

aspergillosis

cryptococcus

schistosomiasis

typhus

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5
Q

epidemiology of encephalitis

A

Annual UK incidence is 7.4 in 100 000.

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6
Q

sx of encephalitis

A

many cases - mild and self limiting

subacute onset hrs-days

  • headache
  • fever
  • vomiting
  • neck stiffness
  • photophobia ie symptoms of meningism with behavioural changes
  • drowsiness, reduced GCS
  • confusion

history of seizures

focal neurological symptoms - dysphagia, hemiplegia

travel history or animal bite

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7
Q

signs of encephalitis

A

reduced consciousness with deteriorating GCS

seizures

pyrexia

signs of meningism

  • neck stiffness
  • photophobia
  • Kernig’s test positive

signs of raised ICP

  • htn
  • bradycardia
  • papilloedema

focal neuro signs

mini mental exam - cognitive/psychiatric disturbances

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8
Q

Ix for encephalitis

A

blood

throat swab

MSU

MRI/contrast enhanced CT

LP

EEG - May show epileptiform activity, e.g. spiking activity in temporal lobes.

brain biopsy - rare

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9
Q

blood for encephalitis

A

FBC - high lymphocytes

UE - SIADH may occur

glucose - compare with CSF glucose

viral serology

ABG

blood cultures

serum for viral PCR

toxoplasma IgM titre

malaria film

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10
Q

MRI/contrast CT for encephalitis

A

excludes mass lesion

HSV produces characteristic bilateral oedema of the temporal lobe on MRI

Meningeal enhancement suggests meningoencephalitis.

do before LP

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11
Q

LP for encephalitis

A

high lymphocytes, monocytes, protein

glucose normal/low

CSF culture difficult - viral PCR normally 1st line including HSV

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12
Q

mx of encephalitis

A

aciclovir
if immunocompromised - combination antiretroviral rx (ganciclovir, foscarnet, and aciclovir)
supportive care
Treat cause eg:
* benzylpenicillin (syphillus)
* ampicillin + gent (listeria)
* immune modulating therapy (autoimmune/paraneoplastic)
* doxycycline or erythromycin (mycoplasma pneumoniae)

rehab

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13
Q

mx for HSV encephalitis

A

aciclovir

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14
Q

mx for VZV encephalitis

A

aciclovir / ganciclovir

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15
Q

mx for CMV encephalitis

A

ganciclovir + foscarnet

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16
Q

mx for EBV encephalitis

A

aciclovir, ganciclovir, or cidofovir
AND steroid

17
Q

mx for confirmed herpes B encepgalitis

A

ganciclovir, aciclovir, or valaciclovir

18
Q

mx for confirmed human herpes 6 encephalitis

A

ganciclovir or foscarnet

19
Q

monitoring for encephalitis

A

inpt rehab
monitor for development of seizure disorder
hydrocephalus

20
Q

complications of encephalitis

A

death
hypothalamic and autonomic dysfunction
ischemic stroke
encephalitis lethargica (extrapyramidal syndrome characterised by somnolence, fatigue, and ophthalmoplegia)
neuro
seizures
hypersomnolence and sleep disorders
cerebral haemorrhage
cerebral vasculitis
hydrocephalus
chronic fatigue syndrome

21
Q

px of encephalitis

A

depend on underlying aetiology