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Mollaret's meningitis

J M S Pearce1

  • 1Emeritus Consultant Neurologist, Department of Neurology, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK.

European Neurology
|October 4, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Pierre Mollaret described a benign, recurrent meningitis characterized by sterile inflammation and specific cell changes in cerebrospinal fluid. This condition, now termed Mollaret's meningitis, should be reserved for idiopathic recurrent aseptic meningitis.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Pierre Mollaret's contributions to infectious disease prevention are noted.
  • He described a unique syndrome of benign, recurrent meningitis in three patients.
  • This meningitis presented with recurrent fever, headache, vomiting, and sterile cerebrospinal fluid containing 'fantomes cellulaires' (cell ghosts).

Discussion:

  • The symptoms of Mollaret's meningitis are similar to those caused by Herpes simplex virus-2 and other viral infections.
  • The paper advocates for restricting the term Mollaret's meningitis to idiopathic recurrent aseptic meningitis.
  • This distinction is crucial for accurate diagnosis and understanding of recurrent meningitis etiologies.

Key Insights:

  • Mollaret's meningitis is defined by recurrent aseptic meningitis with characteristic cerebrospinal fluid findings.
  • The syndrome can be mimicked by viral infections, highlighting the importance of etiological differentiation.
  • The term's precise application is essential for clinical and research clarity.

Outlook:

  • Further research may elucidate the precise idiopathic causes of recurrent aseptic meningitis.
  • Understanding Mollaret's meningitis contributes to the broader field of neuroinflammatory disorders.
  • Differential diagnosis remains key in managing patients presenting with recurrent meningitis symptoms.

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