A prospective study on the clinical profile and outcome of meningoencephalitis in adults in a South Indian tertiary care centre

Background Although there are numerous studies on meningitis and encephalitis separately, literature on meningoencephalitis is sparse. In this study we analysed the clinical profile of meningoencephalitis and its clinical outcome. Methods Fifty adults diagnosed with meningoencephalitis from July 2014 to July 2015 in a tertiary care hospital in South India were studied prospectively and their clinical presentation, aetiology and outcome were analysed. Results Among 50 patients, 33 (66%) were male; 39 (78%) were <50 years of age. Fever was the most common presenting symptom in 41 out of 50 patients (82%), followed by headache (74%) and altered sensorium (62%); only 18 patients (36%) had all three classical symptoms. Twenty-eight out of 50 patients (56%) did not have neck stiffness. A majority of patients had acute-to-subacute clinical presentation. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in 58% (29 out of 50). Forty-seven patients (94%) recovered completely. Conclusion Tuberculosis was the most common cause of meningoencephalitis in the studied population, often with subacute presentation, and outcome was good with early institution of antituberculous therapy.