[Serous meningitis in patients with herpes zoster].

CSF was studied in 110 patients with herpes zoster. The whole complex of symptoms helped to diagnose serous meningitis in 62% of cases and so-called "asymptomatic meningitis" in 18% of cases. CSF cells were characterized by lymphocyte transformation and the presence of antigen to Varicella zoster virus determined by the fluorescent antibody method. Specific antibodies titer appeared to be at zero or minimal level. The disease pathogenesis is discussed.