Abstract

Mollaret’s meningitis or Mollaret’s syndrome is a rare form of aseptic meningitis charac terized by recurrent episodes of meningitis. Classically, Mollaret’s syndrome presents as subacute or acute fever with meningism, sometimes accompanied by neurological focal findings. It is most commonly caused by Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Cerebrospinal fluid analysis during meningitis episodes often shows pleocytosis with a lymphocytic predominance, cerebrospinal fluid cultures are negative, and viral agents are often not detected with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or serology. Pleocytosis observed in cerebrospinal fluid during meningitis episode tends to normalize in between the episodes. Symptoms usually resolve spontaneously without the need for antiviral treatment. Though exacerbations of Mollaret’s meningitis can be severe and recurrent, the prognosis is generally good, and neurological sequelae are rare.