Evolving Diagnostic Approaches to Undocumented Lymphocytic Meningitis and Meningoencephalitis

NCT07186881 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: CHAN-MEE
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection transmitted by ticks. TBE is the third most common cause of encephalitis in France. Across France, numerous cases of lymphocytic meningitis remain without a definitive diagnosis, notably at the Nancy University Hospital. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of a change in diagnostic practice on the work-up of undocumented lymphocytic meningitis and meningoencephalitis at Nancy University Hospital.

Conditions

Tick Bites; Encephalitis; Meningitis; Viral Encephalitis

Keywords

Tick bite encephalitis; encephalitis; meningitidis; outcomes; diagnosis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• TBE diagnosis

  To measure the impact of revised diagnostic procedures on TBE detection among cases of unexplained clear-fluid meningitis and meningoencephalitis at Nancy University Hospital.

  This study compares data from the pre-intervention period (2022-2024) with that from the post-intervention period (2024-2026).

Study Arms (2)

Period before the change of practice

We are examining a change in clinical practice within our institution. Prior to this change, testing for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) was not routinely performed in cases of meningitis and meningoencephalitis. Following the implementation of the new protocol, our infectious diseases team now recommends that all clinicians managing patients with compatible clinical presentations conduct TBE serology. The patient cohort described here corresponds to the period preceding this change in practice.

Period after the change of practice

We are examining a change in clinical practice within our institution. Prior to this change, testing for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) was not routinely performed in cases of meningitis and meningoencephalitis. Following the implementation of the new protocol, our infectious diseases team now recommends that all clinicians managing patients with compatible clinical presentations conduct TBE serology. The patient cohort described here corresponds to the period following this change in practice.

Other: Recommendation from the infectious diseases team

Interventions

Recommendation from the infectious diseases team OTHER

No commercial product was evaluated in this study. We are assessing the benefits and consequences of a change in clinical practice implemented at the hospital level. At our institution, it is now recommended that TBE serology be performed in all cases of undocumented meningitis or meningoencephalitis. The infectious diseases team at our hospital simply advises the clinicians responsible for patient care to perform this test.

Period after the change of practice

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals who have received full information regarding the organisation and conduct of the study * Adults or children * Hospitalised in a department of Nancy University Hospital with a diagnosis of lymphocytic meningitis or meningoencephalitis * Cerebrospinal fluid showing more than 5 cells/mm³, with either a negative FilmArray result or no FilmArray performed Exclusion Criteria: * Patients diagnosed with non-lymphocytic meningitis or meningoencephalitis * Patients with documented lymphocytic meningitis or meningoencephalitis of a known cause (excluding TBE) prior to the date the advisory was issued * Patients who have expressed opposition to the use of their data for this study

You may qualify if:

• Individuals who have received full information regarding the organisation and conduct of the study
• Adults or children
• Hospitalised in a department of Nancy University Hospital with a diagnosis of lymphocytic meningitis or meningoencephalitis
• Cerebrospinal fluid showing more than 5 cells/mm³, with either a negative FilmArray result or no FilmArray performed

You may not qualify if:

• Patients diagnosed with non-lymphocytic meningitis or meningoencephalitis
• Patients with documented lymphocytic meningitis or meningoencephalitis of a known cause (excluding TBE) prior to the date the advisory was issued
• Patients who have expressed opposition to the use of their data for this study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Central Hospital, Nancy, France: lead

Study Sites (1)

University Hospital of Nancy, Brabois Hospital

Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, Lorraine, 54511, France

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Tick Bites; Encephalitis; Meningitis; Encephalitis, Viral; Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Bites and Stings; Poisoning; Chemically-Induced Disorders; Wounds and Injuries; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; Central Nervous System Viral Diseases; Central Nervous System Infections; Infections; Infectious Encephalitis; Virus Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Doctor (MD PhD)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 16, 2025
• First Posted: September 22, 2025
• Study Start: August 15, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 15, 2026
• Last Updated: September 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Locations

FR (1)