Encephalitis

Question 1

What viral pathogens can cause encephalitis?

Answer 1

HSV-1, CMV, EBV

Question 2

What non-viral pathogens can cause encephalitis?

Answer 2

TB, Lyme disease, toxoplasmosis, ticks

Question 3

What is the triad of encephalitis?

Answer 3

Fever, headache, altered mental state

Question 4

What can happen during an infectious prodrome?

Answer 4

High temp, rash, lymphadenopathy, cold sores

Question 5

What cultures would you do?

Answer 5

Blood, throat swabs

Question 6

What would you run a viral PCR on?

Answer 6

Serum, CSF

Question 7

When would you run a contrast-enhanced CT?

Answer 7

Before LP

Question 8

What will you find when you do a LP?

Answer 8

Lymphocytosis

Question 9

If there’s no prodrome, what differentials should you think of?

Answer 9

Encephalopathy, hypoglycaemia

Question 10

When should you start treatment?

Answer 10

ASAP

Question 11

What drug should you start within 30 minutes of the patient arriving?

Answer 11

Aciclovir

Question 12

What are some potential complications?

Answer 12

Death, autonomic dysfunction

Question 13

What is encephalitits?

Answer 13

Inflammation of the brain parenchyma

Question 14

How does encephalitis present?

Answer 14

Triad, meningism, confusion, drowsiness, raised ICP

Question 15

What symptoms of raised ICP might be present?

Answer 15

Vertigo, nausea, severe headache, photophobia

Question 16

What antibiotic would you start?

Answer 16

IV benzylpenicillin