Meningoencephalitis: A 4-year retrospective study in the University hospital of Tours (France)

Introduction. - Meningoencephalitis (ME) are central nervous system inflammations with many etiologies. The etiology remains unknown in nearly half of the cases. The last French study was performed in 2007. Besides some rare or emerging causes, such as limbic ME, which are curable, infectious ME are the most frequent. Long term ME outcome remains partly known. The study objectives were to assess etiologies and outcome of ME in a University hospital between 01/01/2011 and 31/12/2014. Methods. - This is a retrospective epidemiological study based on computerized files from patients hospitalized in internal medicine, infectious diseases and intensive care departments. Included patients presented compatible clinical symptoms with ME (delirium, focal deficits, epilepsy) and confirmed meningitis after lumbar puncture. Results. - The files of 79 patients were studied. In 37 patients (46.8%) ME was infectious: viral in 16 cases (mainly VZV), bacterial in 16 (mainly pneumococcus). Eight patients (10.1%) presented with a noninfectious cause, 2 of which being limbic ME. Etiology remains undetermined in 34 patients. The patients presenting with a ME of unknown etiology had a lesser serious initial presentation, a shorter time in intensive care department, and a better long-term outcome. Conclusion. - Etiologic diagnosis of ME is difficult. Aside infectious ME, diagnosis of others curable ME is very important. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of Societe Nationale Francaise de Medecine Interne (SNFMI).