Consensus guidelines for the investigation and management of encephalitis

Encephalitis is caused by inflammation of the brain and is a challenging condition for clinicians to identify and manage. It manifests as a complex neurological syndrome with protean clinical manifestations that may be caused by a large number of aetiologies, many without effective treatments. It can be fatal and survivors often experience significant neurological morbidity. Studies have shown variable quality in case management in multiple settings,1-3 emphasising the need for consensus guidelines.