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Aetiology

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The most common cause is a viral meningitis. Other causes are listed in the appropriate menu option.

Non-infectious causes include medications, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; malignancies, and connective tissue disorders. (1)

Despite advances in diagnostic methods, the underlying cause is identified in only 30% to 65% of cases. (2)

Cases in which no aetiology is determined are classified as idiopathic.

Reference

  1. Tattevin P, Tchamgoué S, Belem A, Bénézit F, Pronier C, Revest M. Aseptic meningitis. Rev Neurol (Paris). 2019 Sep-Oct;175(7-8):475-480
  2. Jarrin I et al. C. Etiologies and Management of Aseptic Meningitis in Patients Admitted to an Internal Medicine Department. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Jan;95(2):e2372.

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