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[Mollaret's meningitis. A rare disease with a characteristic presentation]
B K Ruhnau1, M S Laub, H Permin
1H:S Rigshospitalet, RHIMA Centret, epidemiafdeling M.
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|November 4, 1998
Summary
Recurrent Mollaret's meningitis, characterized by repeated episodes and specific cerebrospinal fluid findings, occurred in a 72-year-old woman. Herpes simplex virus is a potential, though unconfirmed, cause.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Case Study
Background:
- Mollaret's meningitis is a recurrent aseptic meningitis syndrome.
- Diagnosis often relies on characteristic cerebrospinal fluid findings and clinical presentation.
- Etiology remains unclear, with viral infections, particularly Herpes simplex virus, being suspected.
Observation:
- A 72-year-old woman experienced four distinct episodes of Mollaret's meningitis over six years.
- Lumbar punctures during each episode consistently showed moderate leukocytosis with atypical large mononuclear cells.
- Extensive investigations were conducted to identify a specific cause.
Findings:
- No definitive cause was identified despite thorough investigations.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed a consistent pattern of moderate leukocytosis and large mononuclear cells.
- Herpes simplex virus infection is suggested as a potential, but unproven, etiological agent.
Implications:
- This case highlights the challenging diagnosis and management of recurrent Mollaret's meningitis.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the specific causes and establish effective therapies.
- Understanding potential triggers like Herpes simplex virus is crucial for future treatment strategies.