Recurrent herpes simplex virus type 2 meningitis in elderly persons.
OBJECTIVE
To review the ages of patients with recurrent herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) meningitis.


METHODS
Case report and literature review back to 1970.


METHODS
Referral Veterans Affairs hospital.


RESULTS
Our patient developed his first episode of recurrent HSV-2 meningitis at 78 years of age, 57 years after his only episode of genital herpes simplex infection. Of 223 patients in the literature with recurrent HSV-2 meningitis, 5% occurred in patients older than 60 years and 19% in patients older than 50 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Although recurrent meningitis due to HSV is primarily seen in young, sexually active adults, a surprising number of episodes of HSV meningitis can develop in older age. Meningitis due to HSV-2 should be in the differential diagnosis of aseptic meningitis in older patients.
Davis
Larry E
LE
Neurology Service, New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System, 1501 San Pedro Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA. ledavis@unm.edu
Guerre
Jenny
J
Gerstein
Wendy H
WH
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D039781:PubMed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012008:Recurrence; D012737:Sex Factors