MS AND MENINGITIS

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune demyelinating disease that is rarely associated with aseptic meningitis. However, certain syndromes causing aseptic meningitis are often associated with central nervous system demyelination that mimics multiple sclerosis (MS). Since many of these syndromes are potentially treatable, unmasking an alternative diagnosis is essential whenever an MS-like illness and recurrent meningitis are encountered in the same patient. Yet, the search for an alternative diagnosis may be elusive sometimes, despite extensive and appropriate investigations. We present a young woman with an MS-like illness associated with recurrent meningitis over a 7-year period. After an exhaustive evaluation, we conclude that recurrent meningitis is an atypical manifestation of MS. If neurologists would appreciate this point, unrewarding and costly investigations may be avoided and appropriate therapy instituted when similar cases are encountered in clinical practice. MS is an autoimmune disease with an unknown etiology, or “cause”. It is believed that some type of environmental factor (a virus, maybe) can provoke the immune system to start creating antibodies against the myelin covering of the nerves and nerve tracts, thus the onset of MS. Brain plaques are places that experience destruction of the nerves’ coverings, or sheath. Most often during MS, the vision is affected in a condition that doctors have called “retro-bulbar neuritis” In fact, retro-bulbar neuritis is the most common manifestation of MS. Urinary incontinency is a rarely a manifestation of MS. Plaques during MS can be seen via CT-scan or MRI. Other than plagues, a person also experiences an increased amount of immunoglobulins in the cerebrospinal liquid. MS is mainly a progressive disease with incomplete remissions. 

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder caused by the body reacting against its own brain’s white matter and creates scar tissues. It is not caused by meningitis which can however aggravate the symptoms of MS.