Neurologic morbidity after herpes simplex virus type 2 meningitis: a retrospective study of 40 patients.
In order to study the long-term course after herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) meningitis and/or myeloradiculitis the records of 40 consecutive patients were studied. During the year following the acute phase, verified or suspected neurologic recurrences were noted in nearly half of the patients: 1 or more episodes of recurring meningitis were noted in 8 patients; new episodes of myelitis or radiculitis in 3; distinct attacks of headache in 4; and diffuse neurologic complaints impairing daily life in 3. Recurring mucocutaneous symptoms were observed in 16 patients. Eleven patients experienced concurrent or separate episodes of recurring mucocutaneous and neurologic symptoms, 7 had neurologic recurrences only and 5 had only mucocutaneous recurrences. As considerable morbidity may result, patients with HSV-2 meningitis and/or myeloradiculitis should be identified by means of thorough history-taking, careful examination and a specific viral diagnosis in order to enable adequate advice and counseling to be provided and to aid decision-making regarding antiviral therapy.
Aurelius
Elisabeth
E
Division of Medicine, Unit of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. elisabeth.aurelius@ks.se
Forsgren
Marianne
M
Gille
Elena
E
Sköldenberg
Birgit
B
D000210:Acute-Phase Reaction / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008587:Meningitis, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies