title: Infectious Meningitis and Encephalitis.
abstract: The clinician who is evaluating a patient with a suspected central nervous system infection often faces a large differential diagnosis. There are several signs, symptoms, geographical clues, and diagnostic testing, such as cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities and magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities, which can be helpful in identifying the etiological agent. By taking a systematic approach, one can often identify life-threatening, common, and/or treatable etiologies. Here the authors describe some of the pearls and pitfalls in diagnosing and treating acute infectious meningitis and encephalitis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, University of Utah Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Piquet
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurological Infections and Inflammatory Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lyons
mesh_terms: D002494:Central Nervous System Infections; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy