eosinophilic meningitis

Eosinophilic meningitis, also known as eosinophilic meningoencephalitis or EM, is a rare clinical entity that can be useful in narrowing the differential diagnosis of central nervous system disease.

Definition and Causes

It is defined by the presence of 10 or more eosinophils/microL in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or a CSF eosinophilia of at least 10%. The most common cause is invasion of the central nervous system by helminthic parasites, particularly A cantonensis, but other infections as well as non-infectious conditions may also be associated.

Clinical Features

Eosinophilic meningitis can present with a range of clinical signs

Eosinophilic meningitis, a rare form of meningitis caused by certain parasites, presents with a range of symptoms and signs. The most common symptoms include:

• Severe headaches [2]
• Nausea and vomiting [5]
• Neck stiffness [4][8]
• Weakness or paralysis [4]
• Coma [4]
• Permanent disability or death in severe cases [4]

Additionally, some patients may experience seizures, neurologic abnormalities, and ocular invasion. The symptoms can progress from meningitis to radiculitis, cranial nerve abnormalities, ataxia, encephalitis, coma, and even permanent disability or death.

It's worth noting that the clinical presentation of eosinophilic meningitis can vary widely among patients, and some may experience a range of other symptoms not listed here. Early recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term complications and improve outcomes.

Eosinophilic meningitis, a rare form of meningitis caused by certain parasites, can be diagnosed through various tests.

Tests to Confirm Diagnosis

• Nasal or throat swab: A soft-tipped stick (swab) is used to collect a sample from the nasal or throat area. This test may not be specific for eosinophilic meningitis but can help rule out other conditions.
• Eosinophil count in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): The presence of more than 10 eosinophils/mm^3 in the CSF is a key indicator of eos

Treatment Options for Eosinophilic Meningitis

Eosinophilic meningitis, a rare form of meningitis caused by certain parasites, requires prompt and effective treatment to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications. While there is no cure for this condition, various medications can help manage the infection.

• Corticosteroids: These anti-inflammatory medications have been shown to significantly relieve headache in patients with eosinophilic meningitis [4

Eosinophilic meningitis, also known as eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, is a condition characterized by the presence of eosinophils in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The differential diagnosis for this condition involves identifying other possible causes of eosinophilia in the CSF.

Possible Causes:

• Parasitic infections: These are the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis, including:
  • Neurocysticercosis [2]
  • Cerebral paragonimiasis [2]
  • Toxoplasma canis
  • Baylisascaris
• Non-parasitic infections: These include:
  • Tuberculous meningitis
  • Bacterial meningitis (e.g., pneumococcal, meningococcal)
• Other conditions: These may also cause eosinophilic meningitis, including:
  • Visceral larva migrans [6]
  • Meningitis caused by protozoa or helminths [8]

Key Features:

• The presence of more than 10 eosinophils/mm3 in the CSF is a defining feature of eosinophilic meningitis.
• Eosinophilic meningitis can be caused by parasitic infection, some non-parasitic infections, and some non-infectious etiologies [5].
• Visceral larva migrans should be included in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilic meningitis [6].

References:

[1] Among the most important of these are ongiostrongyliosis, gnathostomiasis, porogonimiasis and cysticercosis (see Fig. 1). [2] Other causes of eosinophilic meningitis are neurocysticercosis, cerebral paragonimiasis, Toxoplasma canis, Baylisascaris, tuberculous meningitis, and ... [3] Eosinophilic meningitis is defined as the presence of more than 10 eosinophils/mm3 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or ... [4] Eosinophilic meningitis is defined by the presence of 10 or more eosinophils/μL in the CSF or a CSF eosinophilia of at least 10%. [5] Eosinophilic meningitis can be caused by parasitic infection, some nonparasitic infections, and some noninfectious etiologies. [6] Visceral larva migrans should be included in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilic meningitis. Infection is acquired by inadvertent ingestion of the ... [7] DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS​​ Invasion of the central nervous system by helminthic parasites is the most common cause, but other diseases may cause eosinophilic ... [8] Meningitis - infection of the meninges - can be attributed to a variety of agents, including bacteria, protozoa and some hel- minths. [9] EM is the hallmark of NAS, and finding more than 0.1 of 1.0 (10%) eosinophils in the CSF differential cell count suggests a differential diagnosis of helminthic ... [10] The diagnosis of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis is based on clinical manifestations and microscopic identification of eosinophils present in cerebrospinal ...