Perspectives on diagnosis and management of all-cause encephalitis: a European survey of adult infectious diseases healthcare providers.

Abstract

There is a need to understand current practices, knowledge gaps and training needs of ID physicians regarding encephalitis. A questionnaire was sent to European ID specialists. 201 persons answered. Respondents were involved more often in infectious (64%) than autoimmune encephalitis (7.5%). Respondents reported not feeling comfortable in recognizing (60%), diagnosing (71%), or treating (85%) autoimmune encephalitis. There was a need for the publication of guidelines from the ESCMID for the management of encephalitis (89%). There is heterogeneity in confidence in recognizing, diagnosing, and treating autoimmune encephalitis. European guidelines may be helpful for physicians in daily care.