Eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis: a case report and literature review.

Eosinophilic meningitis is defined by the presence of 10 or more eosinophils per microliter in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or eosinophilia of at least 10% of the total CSF leucocyte count.1 It is rare in Western countries, where it is sometimes seen in association with tuberculosis, syphilis, and coccidioidomycosis.2 Worldwide, the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis is invasion of the central nervous system by helminthic parasites, in particular Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Gnathostoma spinigerum.1 Most cases occur in Southeast Asia and throughout the Pacific basin.3 International travel has increased the possibility of exposure to these parasites and has led to further dissemination via ship-borne dispersal of infected rat vectors. In this article, we report a case of eosinophilic meningitis due to A. cantonensis in a Singaporean woman.