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Aseptic meningitis: diagnosis and management

Rashmi Kumar1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, King George Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. rashmik@sancharnet.in

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|February 3, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Aseptic meningitis, inflammation of the brain meninges, is typically benign and often caused by viral infections like enteroviruses. Diagnosis involves cerebrospinal fluid analysis, with supportive treatment generally recommended.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Aseptic meningitis involves inflammation of the brain meninges, excluding bacterial causes.
  • It is generally a benign condition with a broad range of potential etiologies.
  • Viral infections, particularly enteroviruses, are the most frequent cause.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of aseptic meningitis.
  • To discuss the diverse causes, clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on aseptic meningitis.
  • Analysis of common etiologies, including viral, non-viral infections, drugs, malignancy, and systemic illnesses.
  • Description of diagnostic workup, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Main Results:

  • Enteroviruses (Coxsackie and ECHO viruses) are responsible for over half of all aseptic meningitis cases.
  • Common symptoms include headache, fever, malaise, photophobia, and meningeal signs.
  • Severe neurological deficits are rare, except in specific non-viral infectious meningitis cases.

Conclusions:

  • Aseptic meningitis is predominantly caused by viral infections and is usually self-limiting.
  • Diagnostic tools like PCR offer rapid detection of microbial DNA in CSF.
  • Treatment is primarily supportive, with specific interventions for non-viral infectious causes.

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