[Meningitis of viral or possible viral etiology in adults: study of 325 cases].

During five consecutive years, 325 patients older than 14 years with acute possibly viral acute meningitis (VAM) were evaluated. Demographical, clinical and laboratory data were obtained. In 50.5% of cases the etiological investigation of the disease was undertaken with different methods. From the diagnostic point of view, the findings can be nonspecific or equivocal, and only the judicious assessment of clinical, laboratory (blood CRP) and the overall CSF measurements can prevent errors in an early phase. The viral studies demonstrated a specific etiology in 46% of the instances where they were carried out. The viruses accounting for VAM which were more commonly identified included varicella-zoster, enteroviruses, parotiditis and herpes simplex.