[Recurrent aseptic meningitis associated with primary biliary cirrhosis]

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Published on: September 20, 2018

C Bensa1, A Boscagli, V Bourg

  • 1Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Pasteur, Nice.

Revue Neurologique
|January 29, 2005
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Recurrent aseptic meningitis was diagnosed in a woman with primary biliary cirrhosis. This rare case highlights a link between autoimmune liver disease and meningitis due to an ear inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Hepatology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Recurrent aseptic meningitis presents diagnostic challenges.
  • Primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune liver disease.

Observation:

  • A 37-year-old woman experienced four episodes of meningitis with fever, responsive to steroids.
  • Imaging revealed a right tympano-labyrinthine fracture with internal auditory canal enhancement.
  • Serological tests showed positive antimitochondria antibodies (AMA) subtype M2.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with recurrent puriform aseptic meningitis.
  • The meningitis was secondary to a non-septic, inflammatory ear-nose-throat focus.
  • A latent autoimmune context of primary biliary cirrhosis was identified.

Implications:

  • This case suggests a potential association between primary biliary cirrhosis and recurrent aseptic meningitis.
  • It underscores the importance of investigating ENT inflammatory foci in autoimmune patients with meningitis.
  • This is the first reported instance linking these conditions.

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