Encephalitis and meningoencephalitis: chasing the culprit

Abstract: This editorial introduces the four narrative reviews that constitute a theme issue on encephalitis and meningoencephalitis. It highlights the diagnostic difficulties that are inherent to this clinical entity. Encephalitis can indeed be induced by numerous infectious pathogens, mainly viruses and bacteria, whose geographic distribution greatly varies, but also by immune-related phenomena, such as autoimmunity. The latest diagnostic tools which might improve the etiologic yield ofencephalitis/meningoencephalitis are also put into perspective.