encephalitis
Pronunciation: en-sef-uh-LY-tis
Inflammation of brain tissue, typically caused by viral infection or autoimmune processes.
Full Definition
Encephalitis refers to acute inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most commonly resulting from viral infections such as herpes simplex virus or West Nile virus, though autoimmune causes are increasingly recognized. The condition presents with altered mental status, fever, and neurological deficits. In medical writing, editors should distinguish between encephalitis (brain inflammation) and meningitis (membrane inflammation), though they may coexist. Clinical documentation requires careful attention to causative agents and severity scoring systems.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from encephalopathy (brain dysfunction) and meningitis (membrane inflammation).
In Context
- "The patient presented with acute encephalitis secondary to HSV-1 infection." — Clinical case report
- "Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis has emerged as a leading cause of autoimmune encephalitis in young adults." — Research article