Eosinophilic meningitis
Eosinophilic meningitis (pronunciation: ee-oh-sin-oh-fil-ik men-in-jai-tis) is a form of meningitis characterized by an increased presence of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Etymology
The term "eosinophilic meningitis" is derived from the Greek words "eos" meaning "dawn" and "philos" meaning "loving", referring to the eosinophils' affinity for eosin, a red dye used in staining procedures. "Meningitis" is derived from the Greek "meninx" meaning "membrane" and "-itis" meaning "inflammation".
Causes
Eosinophilic meningitis is often caused by parasitic infections, such as those caused by the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Other causes can include certain medications, malignancies, and other non-parasitic infections.
Symptoms
Symptoms of eosinophilic meningitis can include severe headache, stiff neck, fever, nausea, vomiting, and neurological abnormalities. These symptoms are similar to those of other forms of meningitis, but eosinophilic meningitis may also present with an elevated eosinophil count in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of eosinophilic meningitis is typically made through examination of the cerebrospinal fluid obtained via a lumbar puncture. An elevated eosinophil count in the cerebrospinal fluid is a key indicator of this condition.
Treatment
Treatment of eosinophilic meningitis typically involves addressing the underlying cause, such as treating the parasitic infection with anthelmintic drugs. In some cases, corticosteroids may be used to reduce inflammation.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Eosinophilic meningitis
- Wikipedia's article - Eosinophilic meningitis
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