Autoimmune Encephalitis Probability Score
Assesses probability of autoimmune vs infectious encephalitis and guides urgent immunotherapy vs antiviral decisions. Based on European Encephalitis Consortium criteria.
Score interpretation
→ Prioritise infectious causes; IV aciclovir 10mg/kg TDS (HSV encephalitis) pending PCR; CSF culture; MRI brain; neurology review; repeat LP if initial CSF normal
→ Continue IV aciclovir until HSV PCR negative; send neural antibody panel (serum + CSF); EEG; CT chest/abdomen/pelvis for paraneoplastic; consider empirical IVIG or IV methylprednisolone if antibodies pending and deteriorating
→ First-line immunotherapy: IV methylprednisolone 1g/day x5 + IVIG 2g/kg + plasmapheresis if NMDAR-Ab; ICU monitoring; anti-epileptic for seizures; oncology for paraneoplastic; rituximab or cyclophosphamide if first-line fails
Interpretation bands for the Autoimmune Encephalitis Score. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Azathioprine · Systemic Immunosuppressant — Eczema / Autoimmune Dermatoses
- Mycophenolate Mofetil · Systemic Immunosuppressant — Bullous Diseases / Autoimmune Dermatoses
- Normal immunoglobulin (IVIG / SCIG) · Pooled human immunoglobulin
- Japanese encephalitis vaccine · Vaccine
- Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine · Inactivated TBE vaccine
- Aciclovir (Paediatric) · Antiviral — HSV Encephalitis / Neonatal Herpes / VZV in Immunocompromised
- Acute Stroke / TIA Assessment · NICE NG128; RCP Stroke Guidelines 2023
- Status Epilepticus (Adults) · NICE CG137; ESEM guidelines; RCP Neurology Guidelines
- Suspected Subarachnoid Haemorrhage · NICE NG228; RCEM 2023; AHA/ASA 2023
- Adult Head Injury · NICE NG232 (2023)
- Bell's Palsy / Facial Nerve Palsy · ENT UK 2017; AAN
- Vertigo Workup · ENT UK; NICE CKS
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.