Zoster meningitis and radiculomeningitis after tick bite. Cytological findings in cerebrospinal fluid.

Cytological changes in 9 samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 5 patients with zoster meningitis and 12 samples from 5 patients with radiculomeningitis after tick bite were examined. 5 days after the onset of the skin eruption, the CSF cells in zoster meningitis consisted of many mononuclear blast forms--large lymphocytes and 'immature' plasma cells. 11-15 days after the onset of the skin rash, they were replaced by small lymphocytes, some 'mature' plasma cells and monohistiocytes. In radiculomeningitis after tick bite, however, the CSF cells examined 10-21 days after the onset of radicular pain consisted of many large lymphocytes, immature plasma cells and a few neutrophils. From these findings, it might be suggested that the acute meningeal reaction of zoster meningitis subsides within about 1 week after the onset of the skin rash, but that of radiculomeningitis after tick bite continues at least for 2-3 weeks after the onset of radicular pain.