Herpesviral meningitis is
meningitis associated with
herpes simplex virus (HSV).
HSV-2 is the most common cause of Mollaret's meningitis, a type of recurrent viral
meningitis.
This condition was first described in 1944 by French
neurologist
Neurology (from el, νεῦρον (neûron), "string, nerve" and the suffix -logia, "study of") is the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the brain, the spinal c ...
Pierre Mollaret
Pierre Mollaret (10 July 1898 – 3 December 1987) was a French neurologist who made significant scientific contributions to the study of infectious diseases and neurology. He was born in Auxerre, France. A rare disease characterized by recur ...
. Recurrences usually last a few days or a few weeks, and resolve without treatment. They may recur weekly or monthly for approximately 5 years following primary infection.
Diagnosis
Although DNA analysis techniques such as
polymerase chain reaction
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method widely used to rapidly make millions to billions of copies (complete or partial) of a specific DNA sample, allowing scientists to take a very small sample of DNA and amplify it (or a part of it) ...
can be used to look for DNA of herpesviruses in spinal fluid or blood, the results may be negative, even in cases where other definitive symptoms exist.
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Treatment
See also
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Herpesviral encephalitis
Herpesviral encephalitis, or herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), is encephalitis due to herpes simplex virus. It is estimated to affect at least 1 in 500,000 individuals per year, and some studies suggest an incidence rate of 5.9 cases per 100,000 ...
References
External links
{{Diseases of meninges
Herpes simplex virus–associated diseases
Meningitis