Neurological infections caused by herpes simplex virus in adults.

Over a period of 33 months, 281 neuro-infections were tested for herpes simplex virus. In 26 cases herpes simplex virus was identified as the aetiological agent by isolation of the virus from the cerebrospinal fluid and by serological tests. The illness took the form of severe encephalitis in four cases, less severe encephalitis or meningoencephalitis in 12 cases, aseptic meningitis in seven cases, meningo-encephalitis with radiculitis in one case, ascending radiculomyelitis in one case and radiculitis in one case. The diagnostical and therapeutical problems of herpes simplex neuro-infections are discussed.