encephalitis is an inflammation of the meninges
1 Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain.  Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes (called meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord.
1 Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain. 2  Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes (called meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord.  Both encephalitis and meningitis can be caused by bacteria or viruses, and rarely a fungus, or be noninfectious.