In this article we review the world literature on the influence of infectious agents on the development of autoimmune encephalitis in children and adults, as well as modern ideas about the transformation of infectious encephalitis into autoimmune one. The information is presented about the main links of pathogenesis reflecting the dysfunction of the immune system, which may explain the formation of autoantibodies and the beginning of autoimmune mechanisms of damage to the structures of the central nervous system. The characteristics of laboratory parameters that can be used as prognostic markers to determine the severity of the course of infectious encephalitis and the probability of their transformation into autoimmune encephalitis are given. Proposals are presented on the tactics of etiotropic therapy in patients with suspected infectious encephalitis using the drug meglumine acridone acetate-cycloferon, which has antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects.