Eosinophils: Friends or Foes?

The roles eosinophils are recognized to play in health and disease continue to evolve. Formerly, eosinophils were believed to fill a primary role in host defense against helminths, an intermediary one in the propagation of allergic conditions, and a pathologic one in clinical conditions characterized by systemic eosinophilia and eosinophilic infiltration of target organs. Eosinophils are increasingly understood to be positioned centrally within mammalian immune and inflammatory networks, possessing receptors for an array of inflammatory mediators and capable of producing numerous proinflammatory and homeostatic mediators.

Rapid Therapeutic Response of Eosinophilic Meningoencephalitis in a Toddler With Infection.

Introduction: Eosinophilic meningitis is an infrequently encountered condition. (raccoon roundworm) infection, rarely diagnosed in North America, is a known cause of eosinophilic meningitis, often producing death or permanent neurologic damage.

Case Report: We recently encountered a toddler with geophagia and probable exposure to raccoon feces, who presented with eosinophilic meningitis and encephalitis, and was diagnosed with infection and possible Toxocara co-infection.

Fever of Unknown Origin in Childhood.

Childhood fever of unknown origin (FUO) is most often related to an underlying infection but can also be associated with a variety of neoplastic, rheumatologic, and inflammatory conditions. Repeated, focused reviews of patient history and physical examination are often helpful in suggesting a likely diagnosis. Diagnostic workup should be staged, usually leaving invasive testing for last.