European journal of neurology
Diagnosis and Management of Infectious Encephalitis in Adults: Guidelines From the European Academy of Neurology and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
By Granerod J, Sellner J, Stahl JP and 22 others.
Abstract
Background
Encephalitis is difficult to diagnose and manage, posing a challenge to clinicians. Since the last European guidelines were published in 2010, novel causes have emerged, diagnostic processes have evolved and treatments assessed which need to be reflected in updated guidelines.
Objective
We aimed to produce recommendations for the diagnosis and management of infectious encephalitis in adults based on current evidence to equip clinicians to improve patient outcomes.
Methods
These guidelines were developed jointly with the support of two European specialist medical organisations. Clinical questions were prioritised and formulated in PICO format. A systematic literature search was conducted for each question, and the quality of evidence was assessed using standardised tools. Recommendations were developed according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. Where only indirect evidence was available, a good practice statement was made.