Viral encephalitis other diagnostic studies
Template:Encephalitis Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, MBBS [2]
Overview
Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. In patients with herpes simplex encephalitis, electroencephalograph may show sharp waves in one or both of the temporal lobes.
Other Diagnostic Studies
Electroencephalograph
In patients with herpes simplex encephalitis, electroencephalograph may show sharp waves in one or both of the temporal lobes called paroxysmal lateral epileptiform discharges. These waves are present even before changes can be picked by Ct scan or MRI and are positive in majority of cases. However, these are not diagnostic of encephalitis
Brain Biopsy
- Highly specific and sensitive.
- Rabies - Negri bodies in hippocampus and cerebellum
- Cowdry type A inclusion with hemorrhagic necrosis in the temporal and frontal areas of brain - Herpes simplex virus.
Gallery
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Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) reveals the presence of numerous St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virions that were contained inside a neuron in this tissue sample. SLE virus is a member of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [1]
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Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) reveals the presence of numerous St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virions that were contained inside a central nervous system tissue sample. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [1]
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Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) reveals the presence of numerous St. Louis encephalitis virions that were contained within a mosquito salivary gland tissue sample. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [1]
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Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) reveals the presence of numerous St. Louis encephalitis virions that were contained within a tissue sample. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [1]
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Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) reveals the presence of numerous St. Louis encephalitis virions that were contained within a central nervous system tissue sample. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [1]
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Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) reveals the presence of numerous St. Louis encephalitis virions that were contained within a central nervous system tissue sample. From Public Health Image Library (PHIL). [1]