[Virus diseases of the nervous system in selected patients at a neurologic specialty unit during a 9-year period].

During a 9-year period an unselected population of 377 patients with clinically suspected viral diseases of the nervous system were hospitalized. Due to the serological findings a definite viral etiology could be established in 123 (33%). With respect to clinical syndromes serological evidence of viral etiology was found in 74% of mono- respectively oligoneuritides, 43% of meningoencephalitides, whereas in polyneuritis only in 18%. Concerning different virus strains varicella zoster virus appears to be largely ahead (65 cases), then come the enterovirus and herpes simplex virus. Clinical features are presented, some exceptional features are discussed. As regards severity of clinical symptoms and course nearly all patients made a good recovery. Only 2 patients died due to complications of the viral infection. In some cases it seems worth noting the association of another virus to a well determined etiology, this occurring simultaneously.