A search of the existing medical literature revealed 58 previously reported cases of mollarets meningitis in which samples of cerebrospinal fluid were tested for herpes simplex. Veyssier the authors report a case of aseptic meningitis due to spontaneous rupture of an intracranial epidermoid cyst. The first episode of meningitis that we observed oc. Mollaret s meningitis and differential diagnosis of recurrent meningitis. It is characterized by repeated episodes of meningitis, typically lasting two to five days, occurring weeks to years apart. The attacks are separated by symptomfree periods that last weeks to months, and the. Mollaret meningitis, recurrent aseptic meningitis, fever. When can the management of meningitis become difficult. Recurrent lymphocytic meningitis positive for herpes simplex.
These episodes, which were followed by intervals of nearly complete recovery, were usually marked by fever, headache, mental confusion, vomiting, ataxia, anisocoria, epileptic seizures and stiffness of the neck. The 35yearold praised simon read and matthew laws from the east of england ambulance service nhs trust eeast for their care after her condition rapidly deteriorated. Pdf mollaret s meningitis is a rare disease characterized by recurrent and selflimited episodes of lymphocytic meningitis. Mollaret meningitis article about mollaret meningitis by. Find mollarets meningitis information, treatments for mollarets meningitis and mollarets meningitis symptoms. In the remainder, infective, neoplastic and socalled aseptic disorders may be identified. When initially described, this form of aseptic meningitis had no identifiable infecting agent. Mollarets meningitis the lancet infectious diseases. In as many as one third of cases, no cause is found.
Mollaret s meningitis is caused by herpes simplex virus. Recurrent herpes simplex type 2 virus mollaret meningitis jabfm. Ideal sources for wikipedias health content are defined in the guideline wikipedia. The trip database provides clinical publications about. Important infective causes include partially treated bacterial pyogenic. Looking for online definition of mollaret meningitis in the medical dictionary.
Mollarets meningitis is a rare form of benign, recurrent aseptic meningitis characterized by the appearance of a particular mononuclear cell in the csf during the first few days of the illness. Herpes simplex type 2 virus is the causative agent in virtually all cases. Aspirin free anacin extra strength, feverall, rapimed junior, tylenol show all. Its resemblance to chemical meningitis caused by repeated spontaneous ruptures of dermoidepidermoid cysts in the. Check the full list of possible causes and conditions now. Recurrent benign lymphocytic meningitis clinical infectious. Because of its rarity, it is difficult to estimate the exact number of individuals affected by this condition.
Mollaret s meningitis mm is a rare disease of benign nature characterized by recurrent episodes of aseptic meningitis. Herpes simplex virus type 2associated recurrent aseptic mollarets meningitis in genitourinary medicine clinic. Nov 01, 2006 recurrent benign lymphocytic meningitis is a recurring, typically innocuous, painful form of aseptic meningitis. Sep 02, 2016 mollaret meningitis is thought to be rare. Table 1 causes of an aseptic meningitis cerebrospinal fluid picture in this article, the major causes of meningitis are considered in turn, highlighting the difficulties which may arise under these three headings.
This video gives you basic information about mollarets meningitis. Mollaret s meningitis is characterized by recurrent episodes of severe headache, meningismus, and fever. You get it when a virus enters the body through the nose or mouth and travels. We found the prevalence of recurrent lymphocytic meningitis associated with herpes simplex virus type 2 hsv2 was 2. We report a case of mollaret meningitis in a sevenyearold girl who presented with four aseptic meningitis episodes in one year. Mollarets meningitis is a rare form of idiopathic recurrent aseptic meningitis that has a sudden onset. Mollaret s meningitis is a rare form of benign, recurrent aseptic meningitis characterized by the appearance of a particular mononuclear cell in the csf during the first few days of the illness. Mollarets meningitis and differential diagnosis of recurrent meningitis. Pcr was most sensitive in detecting hsv2 dna from cerebrospinal fluid if the sample was taken 25 days after symptom onset. Mollarets meningitis and herpes simplex virus type 2 infections show all authors.
The disease is characterised by recurrent at least three episodes, benign no longterm sequelae and brief 25 day episodes of aseptic lymphocytic meningitis, alternating with symptom free. Cerebrospinal fluid csf examination remains the sole diagnostic modality. Mollarets meningitis and herpes simplex virus type 1 nejm. Mollaret meningitis the turkish journal of pediatrics. Introduction the pathogenesis of mollaret s meningitis is unknown. Mollarets meningitis mm is a rare disease of benign nature characterized by recurrent episodes of aseptic meningitis. Possible causes include generalized herpes simplex. Broadly speaking, there are three main potential areas of concern. Mollaret meningitis synonyms, mollaret meningitis antonyms. Rosenberg, in cerebrospinal fluid in clinical practice, 2009. Diagnosis, initial management, and prevention of meningitis. A rare form of aseptic meningitis characterized by a recurrent pattern with symptom free intervals between episodes.
Here we present an atypical case of mollarets meningitis in which the patient presented with headache and meningismus in the absence of fever. Dec 26, 2016 this video gives you basic information about mollaret s meningitis. However, recent research and studies have suggested that it may be more common than initially thought. Mollaret s meningitis is felt to be rareso if you ve got a client with confirmed mollaret s. In many ways it resembles recurrent hereditary polyserositis familial mediterranean fever in its natural history, pattern of attacks, and response to colchicine. Presented here is a new case of benign recurrent aseptic meningitis, or mollaret s meningitis, in which cerebrospinal fluid was positive for herpes simplex virus type 2 using the polymerase chain. Mollaret meningitis was first described by mollaret in 1944 as a form of aseptic meningitis. This syndrome is associated with transient neurological symptoms in onehalf of afflicted patients. Mollarets meningitis an overview sciencedirect topics. Mollaret syndrome definition of mollaret syndrome by.
Herpes simplex virus type 2associated recurrent aseptic. Mollaret s meningitis is a chronic recurrent form of herpes meningitis. Get a printable copy pdf file of the complete article 869k. Pdf mollarets meningitis is a rare disease characterized by. Mollarets meningitis is a rare condition with a characteristic clinical and cerebrospinal fluid picture. Jan 25, 2019 mollaret meningitis is a type of meningitis due to a viral infection aseptic meningitis that occurs multiple times.
Difficult and recurrent meningitis journal of neurology. Recurrent aseptic meningitis secondary to intracranial epidermoid cyst and mollarets meningitis. Mollaret s recurrent aseptic meningitis and cerebral epi dermoid cyst. The available literature indicates that the causative agent is herpes simplex virus type 2 hsv2 in the majority of cases and much less frequently herpes simplex virus type 1 hsv1. Common signs and symptoms during an episode may include severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light photophobia, and stiff neck. Eighteen csf samples from 14 patients were studied along with the clinical data. Mollarets meningitis fulltext european neurology 2008, vol. Today, herpes simplex virus hsv is considered the cause of most cases of mollarets meningitis. Lol the disease is felt to be benign as much for the patient as it is to their contacts. There are a number of risk factors for fungal meningitis, including the use of immunosuppressants such as after organ transplantation, hivaids, and the loss of immunity associated with aging. This may not be the complete list of references from this article. Mollarets meningitis and differential diagnosis of recurrent. Synonyms for mollaret meningitis in free thesaurus.
Mollarets recurrent aseptic meningitis and cerebral. Aseptic meningitis is an illness characterized by serous inflammation of the linings of the brain i. With this type of meningitis, there is usually rapid onset of symptoms and resolution without residual damage to the nervous system. Canadian journal of neurological sciences journal canadien des sciences neurologiques, vol. Looking for online definition of mollaret syndrome in the medical dictionary. Presented here is a new case of benign recurrent aseptic meningitis, or mollarets meningitis, in which cerebrospinal fluid was positive for herpes simplex virus type 2 using the polymerase chain. Mollaret meningitis genetic and rare diseases information. Recurrent aseptic meningitis secondary to intracranial epidermoids. The disease is most often caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 hsv2 and less frequently by other viruses, autoimmune disorders, or medication. Cases of idiopathic recurrent benign aseptic meningitis were first described by mollaret. Introduction the pathogenesis of mollarets meningitis is unknown. Mollaret s meningitis also referred to as recurrent benign lymphocytic meningitis, is characterized by a transient and recurrent onset of neurological symptoms such as headaches, fever, meningismus and various neurological deficits that last for a few days in a selflimiting fashion. The syndrome was first described by the french physician mollaret in 1944.
Since mollaret s meningitis is a recurrent, benign noncancerous, aseptic meningitis, it is also referred to as benign recurrent lymphocytic meningitis. Mollaret meningitis today is considered to be a recurrent form of aseptic meningitis, due to the close similarities between the descriptions of walgren and mollaret. Mollarets meningitis also referred to as recurrent benign lymphocytic meningitis, is characterized by a transient and recurrent onset of neurological symptoms such as headaches, fever, meningismus and various neurological deficits that last for a few days in a selflimiting fashion. Mollaret meningitis is a type of meningitis due to a viral infection aseptic meningitis that occurs multiple times. The peripheral white blood cell count alone is not help. Mollaret meningitis definition of mollaret meningitis by. Mollarets meningitis and herpes simplex virus type 2 infections. Meningitis is inflammation of the thin tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. In recent years there has been increasing evidence to implicate the herpes simplex virus 2 hsv2 in many cases. Recurrent lymphocytic meningitis positive for herpes. Chronic meningitis is defined as the persistence of clinical symptoms and signs of meningitis, with or without abnormal cerebrospinal fluid, for more than four weeks. Benign recurrent aseptic meningitis mollarets meningitis. Mollarets meningitis, first described by mollaret in 1944 1, is a rare disease characterized by recurrent episodes of.
Mollarets meningitis is characterized by recurrent episodes of severe headache, meningismus, and fever. It has been suggested that if the strict criteria above are followed, these cases should be excluded, and the term mollaret s meningitis reserved for true idiopathic cases. Mollarets meningitis is caused by herpes simplex virus. Mollarets meningitis and herpes simplex virus type 2. Presented here is a new case of benign recurrent aseptic meningitis, or mollarets meningitis, in which cerebrospinal fluid was positive for herpes simplex virus type 2 using the polymerase chain reaction test. Mollaret meningitis with a high level of cytokines in the. Two years after initiation of acyclovir, the patient remains symptomfree and has had no fur ther hospitalizations for recurrence of meningitis. Mollarets meningitis caused by herpes simplex virus type. Recurrent benign endothelioleukocytic aseptic meningitis was first described by mollaret in 1944 1. Amanda has been living with mollarets meningitis a rare recurring viral form of the disease for more than six years. Pdf mollarets meningitis is a rare disease characterized by recurrent and selflimited episodes of lymphocytic meningitis. The interval between the attacks in mollaret meningitis is usually symptom free frederiks and bruyn, 1989. Mollaret meningitis is characterized by three or more episodes of benign recurrent aseptic. Benign recurrent aseptic meningitis is a rare disorder described by mollaret in 1944.
Cases of idiopathic recurrent benign aseptic meningitis were first described by. Chronic and recurrent meningitis practical neurology. Mollaret cells large endothelial cells are considered by many to be the hallmark of mollaret meningitis, although their presence. Mollarets meningitis is a chronic recurrent form of herpes meningitis. Mollarets recurrent aseptic meningitis and cerebral epi dermoid cyst. Recurrent lymphocytic meningitis rlm is a rare disease, characterized by attacks of sudden onset aseptic meningitis followed by complete recovery and unpredictable recurrences. Mollarets meningitisrecurrent aseptic meningitishsv2 virus. Mollaret s meningitis is a recurrent or chronic inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The disease is characterised by recurrent at least three episodes, benign no longterm sequelae and brief 25 day episodes of aseptic lymphocytic meningitis, alternating with symptom free interval, mostly caused by hsv2 infection. A 72yearold woman, previously in good health, suffered for 2 years from attacks of a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome lasting from 2 days to 4 weeks. Mollaret was the first to describe a rare form of meningitis that presented as recurrent and brief selflimiting attacks of fever, headache, vomiting, and meningeal irritation with no obvious etiology. Mollaret s meningitis is an unusual and underappreciated syndrome of benign, recurrent aseptic meningitis. Mollarets meningitis benign recurrent aseptic meningitis. Is mollarets meningitis caused by herpes simplex virus type 2.
685 1050 472 1379 390 1533 1479 1259 193 301 718 586 229 844 1092 471 896 566 1427 1009 274 331 616 282 588 25 1267 539 1217 1016 107 1488 752