Infectious encephalitis: mimics and chameleons

Pract Neurol. 2019 Jun;19(3):225-237. doi: 10.1136/practneurol-2018-002114. Epub 2019 Mar 16.

Abstract

Click here to listen to the Podcast 'Query encephalitis' is a common neurological consultation in hospitalised patients. Identifying the syndrome is only part of the puzzle. Although historically encephalitis has been almost synonymous with infection, we increasingly recognise parainfectious or postinfectious as well as other immune-mediated causes. We must also distinguish encephalitis from other causes of encephalopathy, including systemic infection, metabolic derangements, toxins, inherited metabolic disorders, hypoxia, trauma and vasculopathies. Here, we review the most important differential diagnoses (mimics) of patients presenting with an encephalitic syndrome and highlight some unusual presentations (chameleons) of infectious encephalitis.

Keywords: autoimmune encephalitis; cns infection; encephalopathy; vasculitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Brain Diseases / etiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Encephalitis / diagnosis*
  • Encephalitis / etiology
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / complications
  • Infectious Encephalitis / diagnosis*
  • Infectious Encephalitis / etiology
  • Lizards / metabolism*