Work

Rediscovering parainfectious encephalopathy in the post-COVID-19 era

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled the pivotal role of systemic inflammatory responses in neurological complications, particularly parainfectious encephalopathy. Accumulating evidence has established innate immune overreaction-distinct from direct viral neuro-invasion or autoantibody-mediated reaction-as the fundamental mechanism. The clinical manifestations of parainfectious encephalopathy are highly diverse, spanning from mild cases, such as mild encephalopathy with or without a reversible splenial lesion (MERS or ME), to catastrophic syndromes like acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) and febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome with or without a claustrum lesion (FIRES-C or FIRES). In this article, we summarize the phenotypes, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for parainfectious encephalopathy to enhance clinical recognition and understanding of this re-emerging disorder.

Source: Frontiers in Immunology

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1634383

Authors: Lin Bai, Chang Geng, Hongzhi Guan

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Infectious Encephalopathies and Encephalitis

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801