Encephalitis

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. Sometimes, encephalitis can result from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis, or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like rabies (viral) or syphilis (bacterial). Certain parasitic protozoal infestations, like by toxoplasma, can also cause encephalitis in people with compromised immune systems.

Aetiology

Victims are usually exposed to viruses resulting in encephalitis by insect bites or food and drink. The most frequently encountered agents are arboviruses (carried by mosquitoes or ticks, see also tick-borne meningoencephalitis) and enteroviruses (coxsackievirus, poliovirus and echovirus). Some of the less frequent agents are measles, rabies, mumps, varicella and herpes simplex viruses. Incidentally type 3 Lyssavirus (Mokola virus) causes a lethal encephalitis which hardly resembles rabies.

Related Topics:
Arbovirus - Mosquitoe - Tick - Tick-borne meningoencephalitis - Enterovirus - Coxsackievirus - Poliovirus - Echovirus - Measles - Rabies - Mumps - Varicella - Herpes simplex - Mokola virus

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