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PMID: 17618552 Published · ppublish English Journal Article

Diagnostic approaches for patients with suspected encephalitis.

Current infectious disease reports ·Vol. 9 ·No. 4 ·2007-07-00 ·Pages 315-22

Bloch KC, Glaser C

Abstract

Encephalitis represents a diagnostic challenge, with an infectious etiology identified in only 40% to 70% of cases. More than 100 agents have been either definitively or anecdotally associated with encephalitis. Important considerations for diagnosis include selection of the appropriate clinical specimen (serum vs cerebrospinal fluid), determining the most sensitive diagnostic assay (serology vs polymerase chain reaction), and assessing causality when an organism is identified outside of the central nervous system (eg, a positive nasal swab for influenza). This review aims to provide an evidence-based, clinically relevant approach to the diagnostic evaluation of patients presenting with encephalitis, focusing on the most common or important causes in the immunocompetent host. Diagnostic issues associated with encephalitis due to herpes-group viruses, arboviruses (including West Nile virus), rickettsiae, bartonella, enteroviruses, and rabies are discussed in-depth. Diagnostic testing should be individualized based on clinical presentation and epidemiology.

Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Bloch Karen C
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, A-2200 Medical Center North, Nashville, TN 27232-2582, USA. karen.bloch@vanderbilt.edu
Glaser Carol
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Article Info
Journal
Current infectious disease reports
Abbr.
Curr Infect Dis Rep
ISSN
1523-3847
DOI
10.1007/s11908-007-0049-5
Email
karen.bloch@vanderbilt.edu
Published
2007-07-00
Pages
315-22
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
100888983
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1007/s11908-007-0049-5 View journal details
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