What causes autoimmune encephalitis?
Jul 19, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Tiesheng
Introduction
In general, immune encephalitis may be caused by congenital immune system defects, immune decline due to aging, bacterial infections, parasitic infections, polymyositis, and other factors. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment at a reputable hospital. In daily life, one should maintain good personal hygiene, wash hands frequently, avoid contact with infection sources, and uphold healthy lifestyle habits.
Generally, immune-mediated encephalitis may be caused by congenital immune system deficiencies, immune decline due to aging, bacterial infections, parasitic infections, polymyositis, and other factors. If discomfort symptoms occur, timely medical consultation and treatment at a regular hospital are recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Congenital Immune System Deficiency
Some individuals have underdeveloped immune systems and weaker immune defense and regulatory functions due to congenital factors, making them prone to abnormal immune attacks on brain tissue, leading to immune-mediated encephalitis. These individuals should pay extra attention to protection, avoid crowded places, and reduce the risk of infections.
2. Immune Decline Due to Aging
With advancing age, the immune system gradually weakens, and immune balance can be easily disrupted, possibly triggering immune-mediated encephalitis. Elderly individuals should maintain regular sleep patterns, ensure sufficient rest, and avoid excessive fatigue. Diet-wise, they should consume more foods rich in high-quality protein and vitamins, such as fish, soy products, and fresh vegetables.
3. Bacterial Infection
Certain bacterial infections can stimulate the body's immune response, possibly inducing the immune system to attack brain tissue and cause immune-mediated encephalitis, often accompanied by symptoms such as fever, chills, and headache. Antibiotics should be used under a physician's guidance, such as sodium penicillin for injection, cefotaxime sodium injection, azithromycin injection, etc.
4. Parasitic Infection
Infections with parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium, whose metabolic products may trigger abnormal immune responses, can lead to immune attacks on brain tissue, causing immune-mediated encephalitis, possibly accompanied by fever, fatigue, muscle pain, and other symptoms. Antiparasitic drugs should be used under a physician's guidance, such as albendazole tablets, praziquantel tablets, pyrimethamine tablets, etc.
5. Polymyositis
This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own muscle tissues and may also affect the brain, causing immune-mediated encephalitis, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as muscle weakness, pain, and rash. Medications should be used under a physician's guidance, such as methylprednisolone tablets, cyclosporine soft capsules, tacrolimus capsules, etc.
In daily life, attention should be paid to personal hygiene, frequent handwashing, and avoiding contact with infection sources. Maintain healthy lifestyle habits, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and enhance immunity. When suffering from infectious or autoimmune diseases, active treatment should be pursued to reduce the likelihood of developing immune-mediated encephalitis.
