HealthAugust 19, 2026

meningoencephalitis

muh-NING-go-en-seh-fuh-LY-tis

Definition

A severe and often fatal inflammation of both the brain and the protective membranes (meninges) surrounding it, typically caused by a microbial infection.

Etymology

The word is a medical compound derived from the Greek 'meninx' (membrane), 'enkephalos' (brain), and the suffix '-itis' indicating inflammation.

In the news

The article uses the term to identify primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), the specific and deadly condition caused by the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri.

The ‘brain-eating’ organism that lurks in warm water around the world

Read the full article ↗

BBC Wildlife Magazine

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