New genetic tool could unmask mystery brain infections in the tropics

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * We selected the following eligibility criteria for patients with acute encephalitis: * Patient of at least 28 days of life * With acute onset of symptoms for more than 24 hours * A major criterion among the following: * a disorder of consciousness or alertness * memory disorder * lethargy * modification of personal or behavioral disorder, irritability * confusion, disorientation in time or space \- At least two of the following minor criteria: * temperature above 38 ° C * new onset focal neurological deficit * epileptic crisis * biological abnormality of CSF (≥ 5 Leukocytes / mm3, protein ≥ 0.40 g / L) * partial or general epileptic seizure (s) not attributable to pre-existing epileptic disease and / or a recent focal neurological symptom * brain imaging suggestive of encephalitis, with EEG abnormalities suggestive of encephalitis * And absence of alternative diagnosis (intoxication, metabolic encephalopathy) * Persons affiliated or benefiting from a social security scheme; * Having given free, informed, written and signed consent by the patient or his legal representative (no later than the day of inclusion and prior to any review required by the research); * Eligibility criteria for Acute Transverse Myelitis Patients: * Patient of at least 28 days of life * Acute onset of symptoms for more than 24 hours * Medullary focal abnormality, responsible for motor, sensory or autonomic symptoms * contrast enhancement on bone marrow MRI and / or abnormal CSF (≥ 5GB / mm3, protein uptake ≥ 0.40 g / L) * Evolution between nadir and maximum symptoms, less than 4 weeks * Persons affiliated or benefiting from a social security scheme; * Having given free, informed, written and signed consent by the patient or his legal representative (no later than the day of inclusion and prior to any review required by the research); Exclusion Criteria: * Primary vasculitis of the central nervous system or a documented specific impairment in an autoimmune condition * Cerebral thrombophlebitis if not associated with encephalitis * Meningitis without clinical or paraclinical argument for cerebral parenchymal involvement * Pyogenic abscess * Cerebral or spinal abscess * Tumoral or hematological pathology of the central nervous system * Toxic or metabolic encephalopathy * Transverse myelitis with vascular or traumatic origin * Known chronic infection with HTLV virus