Chronic Meningitis — Many Causes to Consider

Abstract

The paper by Scott et al. in this issue of the Journal describes the use of antibody detection in cerebrospinal fluid in the diagnosis of seven cases of meningeal sporotrichosis.¹ Diagnosis of this form of chronic meningitis is challenging because of the rarity of demonstration of Sporothrix schenckii in smears of cerebrospinal fluid (cytospin technique may improve the yield), the difficulty in isolating the yeast on culture, and the frequent absence of extrameningeal manifestations (cutaneous sporotrichosis, joint infection, and pulmonary disease) that might provide clinical clues. Thus, any other method that provides early and specific diagnosis and can lead to . . .