Re: Mollaret's Meningitis

Posted By CCF Neuro MD on May 29, 1997 at 15:59:46:

In Reply to: Mollaret's Meningitis posted by Cheree Steward on May 22, 1997 at 11:41:35:







: A relative has been diagnosed with Mollaret's Meningitis.He is being treated with Acycloviv.  The doctor's say he won't be able to work for six months to a year, and there is no guarantee of success.  We can't find any information on this disesase.  What is it?  Why is the prognosis so poor?






Mollaret Meningitis is recurrent bouts of benign aseptic (not due to a bacteria) meningitis in which the etiology has not been identified.  However, there has been associated with viruses, especially herpes simplex virus type 1.  Symptoms of meningitis including headache,fever, neck stiffness, light sensitivity, muscle aches and fatigue.  The condition can last several years, up to 5 with an average of 5 attacks which lasts for a few days.  Typically the patient is ok between attacks.  The spinal fluid may contain white blood cells and so-called endothelial cells (probably a monocyte- type of white blood cell) which are unique to Mollaret's meningitis.  The recovery of herpes virus in some prior studies has lead to using acyclovir as a treatment.  There is little else that can be done except treat the patient for their symptoms during the attacks. The prognosis is generally good.  However, there are people that do not do as well and take longer to recover from recurrent attacks, without obtaining a full recovery.  The duration may be longer than the average of 3-5 years.  Hopefully, your relative will recover quickly.  
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