HERPES-SIMPLEX TYPE-2 IN A PATIENT WITH MOLLARETS MENINGITIS - DEMONSTRATION BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

We describe a patient with recurrent self-limited aseptic meningitis meeting the criteria for Mollaret's syndrome, in whom extensive serological investigation and cerebrospinal fluid analysis failed to reveal a specific cause. Using polymerase chain reaction techniques to amplify herpes simplex viral DNA, we were able to identify the presence of herpes simplex virus type 2 in the cerebrospinal fluid. The duration of clinical illness may have been shortened by treatment with intravenous acyclovir. We suggest that: herpes simplex virus may be a more common cause of aseptic meningitis than has been demonstrated by current commonly available serological and culture techniques.