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Life
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Encephalitis: From Molecular Pathophysiology to Therapy
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Encephalitis: From Molecular Pathophysiology to Therapy

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Physiology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 1659

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Anna Tröscher

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Guest Editor
Department of Neurology, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Kepler University Hospital, Linz, Austria
Interests: pathophysiology of encephalitis; cellular and molecular interactions in neuroinflammation
Dr. Judith Wagner

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Guest Editor
Department of Neurology, Evangelisches Klinikum Gelsenkirchen, Academic Hospital University Essen-Duisburg, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Interests: diagnosis and therapy of infectious and autoimmune encephalitis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Encephalitis remains a significant global health concern due to its complex etiology, severe clinical manifestations, and potential long-term consequences for survivors. Caused by infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, alongside autoimmune and idiopathic mechanisms, encephalitis presents unique challenges for diagnosis, treatment, and management. This is especially important where the spreading of infectious agents and their vectors are becoming significant due to global warming, good diagnostic approaches and therapy.

Despite advances in neuroimaging, molecular diagnostics, and therapeutic approaches, significant gaps persist in our understanding of the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical outcomes of encephalitis.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted nature of encephalitis. The topics to be covered include an improved understanding of molecular and cellular interactions in neuroinflammation, improved diagnostics, and novel insights into therapy.

We invite submissions of original research articles, systemic reviews, meta-analyses, and case reports addressing issues related to infectious, autoimmune, and idiopathic encephalitis.

Dr. Anna Tröscher
Dr. Judith Wagner
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • infectious encephalitis
  • autoimmune encephalitis
  • neuroinflammation
  • pathophysiology
  • diagnostics
  • therapy

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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16 pages, 952 KB  
Article
Encephalitis: Predictive Role of Clinical and Diagnostic Data on Outcome—A Monocentric Study
by Deborah K. Erhart, Luisa T. Balz and Hayrettin Tumani
Life 2025, 15(8), 1313; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15081313 - 19 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Encephalitis is a potentially life-threatening condition with long-term neurological sequelae. However, data on early clinical, demographic, and diagnostic predictors of functional outcomes remain limited. We performed a retrospective monocentric study including 98 patients diagnosed with infectious encephalitis of various etiologies treated in the [...] Read more.
Encephalitis is a potentially life-threatening condition with long-term neurological sequelae. However, data on early clinical, demographic, and diagnostic predictors of functional outcomes remain limited. We performed a retrospective monocentric study including 98 patients diagnosed with infectious encephalitis of various etiologies treated in the University Hospital Ulm between January 2014 and December 2024. Ordinal logistic regression models were applied to evaluate associations between admission characteristics and functional outcome at discharge, as measured by the modified Rankin Scale. Three multivariate models incorporating clinical, demographic, and MRI/EEG variables explained up to 53% of the variance in mRS at discharge (p < 0.001), outperforming models based solely on CSF parameters. Key predictors of poor functional outcome included ‘altered consciousness’ (OR 7.08, p < 0.001), higher ‘mRS at admission’ (OR 0.03–0.07 across categories, p < 0.001), ‘focal/generalized EEG slowing’ (OR 9.97, p < 0.001), ‘epileptiform EEG activity’ (OR 17.49, p < 0.001), ‘MRI: myelitis’ (OR 16.44, p = 0.004), and ‘intrathecal IgM synthesis’ (OR 8.93, p = 0.018). Conversely, ‘longer hospitalization’ (OR 0.13–0.17 for different intervals, p < 0.006) and ‘intrathecal IgG synthesis’ (OR 0.05, p = 0.03) were associated with more favorable outcomes. Despite the single-center and retrospective aspects of this study, our findings underscore a multifactorial pattern of outcome determinants in infectious encephalitis, highlighting the prognostic relevance of initial neurological status, electrophysiological abnormalities, and neuroimaging features. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Encephalitis: From Molecular Pathophysiology to Therapy)
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10 pages, 4613 KB  
Case Report
Late-Onset HSV-2 Encephalitis in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: A Rare Case Report
by Danijela Zjačić Puljiz, Ivana Vrkić, Ivo Jeličić, Dijana Borić Škaro, Ivana Kristina Delić Jukić, Lučana Vicelić Čutura and Mirela Pavičić Ivelja
Life 2025, 15(2), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15020152 - 22 Jan 2025
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Abstract
Infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. Among the viral pathogens encountered in this population, herpes simplex virus (HSV), a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, has an important place. HSV type 2 infections in this immunosuppressed population [...] Read more.
Infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. Among the viral pathogens encountered in this population, herpes simplex virus (HSV), a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, has an important place. HSV type 2 infections in this immunosuppressed population are primarily due to viral reactivation. While HSV-2 frequently presents as genital herpes or remains asymptomatic, in rare cases, it can lead to severe neurological manifestations, such as encephalitis, particularly in the early post-transplant period with a reported mortality rate of up to 40%. We present the case of a 49-year-old male who, three years after kidney transplantation, developed acute neurological symptoms, including aphasia and disorientation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) identified HSV-2 as the causative pathogen, enabling a swift and accurate diagnosis. The patient was promptly treated with intravenous acyclovir, adjusted for renal function, resulting in complete neurological recovery and subsequent negative follow-up CSF PCR results. This case emphasizes the vital role of PCR diagnostics as the gold standard for confirming viral encephalitis, particularly in immunosuppressed patients, where atypical presentations can complicate diagnosis. It also highlights the importance of considering HSV-2 encephalitis in the differential diagnosis even beyond the immediate post-transplant period. Early recognition and management, facilitated by the multidisciplinary approach, are critical for improving outcomes in this vulnerable patient population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Encephalitis: From Molecular Pathophysiology to Therapy)
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