A Clinicopathological Study of Encephalitis in Children with Special Reference to Japanese Encephalitis

Introduction: Encephalitis refers to inflammation of Parenchymal brain tissue. Acute encephalitis begins abruptly (hours to days) whereas chronic encephalitis is insidious in onset, occurring over weeks to months.1 Objective: To document etiological, clinical and laboratory features in cases of Encephalitis in general and Japanese encephalitis in particular. Methods: Fifty Indian children below 15 years of age, with encephalitic features were investigated. They were treated in Bapuji Child Health Institute and Chigateri Government Hospital, Davangere. Various methods (Hematological, Biochemical, Cytological, Microbiological, Radio imaging) were used. Serologic methods were used for detection of IgG and IgM antibody to Japanese encephalitis virus. Results: The etiological agents responsible were Japanese encephalitis virus followed by Co-existing infections, Mumps and other viral etiology where specific diagnosis could not be clinched Conclusion: Japanese encephalitis virus is more frequent viral pathogens of childhood encephalitis in Davangere and surrounding areas.