Eosinophilic meningitis after implantation of a rifampin and minocycline-impregnated ventriculostomy catheter in a child. Case report.

Eosinophilic meningitis has been defined as meningitis in which a total cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample is found to have more than 10 eosinophils per millimeter or is composed of greater than 10% eosinophils. The differential diagnosis is broad and the clinical presentation, lacking an internalized CSF diversion system, is often nonspecific. With respect to patients with shunt systems, a positive correlation exists between CSF eosinophilia and eventual shunt failure requiring revision. In this paper the authors present the highest reported level of CSF eosinophilia in conjunction with a rifampin and minocycline-impregnated ventriculostomy catheter recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration.