Meningoencephalitis in Chagas' disease

This code signifies inflammation of both the brain and its surrounding membranes (meninges) that occurs as a complication of Chagas' disease. It represents a severe neurological manifestation of chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states meningoencephalitis due to Chagas' disease. This typically occurs in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Chagas' disease who present with neurological symptoms such as altered mental status, seizures, or focal neurological deficits, and imaging or CSF findings consistent with meningoencephalitis.

• Ensure the documentation clearly links the meningoencephalitis directly to Chagas' disease, not just a co-occurrence.
• Do not use this code for other neurological manifestations of Chagas' disease, such as peripheral neuropathy, without specific mention of meningoencephalitis.
• Code the underlying Chagas' disease (B57.40, B57.49) as a primary or secondary diagnosis as appropriate, following sequencing guidelines.