CASE REPORT: EOSINOPHILIC MENINGITIS DUE TO GNATHOSTOMA SPINIGERUM IN AN INFANT IN SOUTHERN THAILAND

Abstract

Eosinophilic meningitis due to Gnathostoma spinigerum is rare in infants. We report here the case of an 11-month-old male diagnosed with eosinophilic meningitis due to Gnathostoma spinigerum and review the literature on this type of infection. The infant presented to Hat Yai Hospital, Songkhla, Thailand with a 5-day history of a high-grade fever, irritability and vomiting. This progressed to weakness and pain in both legs. Serum and cerebral spinal fluid immunoblot tests were positive for Gnathostoma spinigerum. He was treated with albendazole 400 mg daily and prednisolone 2 mg per kilogram daily for 14 days. He gradually improved over the 2 weeks and at 3 months follow up had returned to normal and exhibited normal growth and development. Gnathostomiasis can cause eosinophilic meningitis and should be considered in the differential diagnosis in a child who presents with eosinophilic meningitis.