DEMONSTRATION OF HERPES-SIMPLEX TYPE-2 IN THE CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF 2 PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT LYMPHOCYTIC MENINGITIS

Aims. To investigate the aetiology of recurrent lymphocytic meningitis in two patients with a past history of recurrent genital herpes simpl ex infection. Methods. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from two pat ients during an acute recurrent episode of lymphocytic meningitis was analysed by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of herpes simpl ex DNA. Results: In both patients, the acute CSF was positive for herp es simplex type 2 DNA. A second CSF obtained 2 weeks later from one pa tient was negative for HSV DNA. Conclusions. Herpes simplex type 2 may be an important cause of recurrent lymphocytic meningitis. Available evidence suggests that viral DNA is cleared from the CSF between episo des and supports active viral replication as the pathological mechanis m. The recurrences of meningitis need not coincide with clinical recur rences of genital herpes.