Herpes simplex type 2 in a patient with Mollaret's meningitis: demonstration by polymerase chain reaction.
We describe a patient with recurrent self-limited aseptic meningitis meeting the criteria for Mollaret's syndrome, in whom extensive serological investigation and cerebrospinal fluid analysis failed to reveal a specific cause. Using polymerase chain reaction techniques to amplify herpes simplex viral DNA, we were able to identify the presence of herpes simplex virus type 2 in the cerebrospinal fluid. The duration of clinical illness may have been shortened by treatment with intravenous acyclovir. We suggest that herpes simplex virus may be a more common cause of aseptic meningitis than has been demonstrated by current commonly available serological and culture techniques.
Cohen
B A
BA
Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611.
Rowley
A H
AH
Long
C M
CM
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000382:microbiology*; D008587:Meningitis, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012008:Recurrence
D004279:DNA, Viral