Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery
10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

Aseptic meningitis

Lise E Nigrovic1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|April 30, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This chapter details aseptic meningitis and encephalitis, focusing on causes, diagnosis, and treatment. It highlights clinical decision rules to differentiate low-risk aseptic meningitis from rare bacterial meningitis in children.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Bacterial meningitis, though rare due to vaccines, requires lengthy culture diagnostics.
  • Aseptic meningitis is a common, generally benign childhood illness managed with supportive care.
  • Distinguishing between aseptic and bacterial meningitis is crucial for appropriate patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of aseptic meningitis and encephalitis.
  • To identify and discuss the primary causes of aseptic meningitis.
  • To review clinical decision rules aiding in the risk assessment of bacterial meningitis in children presenting with aseptic meningitis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical presentations, diagnostic methods, and treatment strategies for aseptic meningitis and encephalitis.
  • Analysis of major etiological factors contributing to aseptic meningitis.
  • Evaluation of existing clinical decision rules for differentiating low-risk bacterial meningitis.

Main Results:

  • Aseptic meningitis is typically benign and requires supportive care.
  • Bacterial meningitis diagnosis can be delayed by culture-dependent methods.
  • Clinical decision rules may help identify children at low risk for bacterial meningitis.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate diagnosis and risk stratification are essential for managing pediatric meningitis.
  • Clinical decision rules can aid in distinguishing aseptic meningitis from potentially severe bacterial meningitis.
  • Understanding the causes and presentations of aseptic meningitis informs treatment strategies.

More Related Videos

Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection05:55

Induction of Leptomeningeal Cells Modification Via Intracisternal Injection

Published on: May 7, 2020

Intracranial Subarachnoidal Route of Infection for Investigating Roles of Streptococcus suis Biofilms in Meningitis in a Mouse Infection Model07:26

Intracranial Subarachnoidal Route of Infection for Investigating Roles of Streptococcus suis Biofilms in Meningitis in a Mouse Infection Model

Published on: July 1, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...