Acute cysticercal meningitis in children: Response to praziquantel

Abstract

Acute purulent meningitis as a manifestation of cerebral cysticercosis is uncommon. We report two children aged 12 months and 3 years who presented with clinical signs of acute meningitis and whose initial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), except for negative culture, was typical of purulent meningitis. However, eosinophils were present in subsequent examinations of the CSF and the haemagglutination titre for cysticercus rose. Praziquantel was given to both children with dramatic improvement in clinical and CSF findings.