What specific component is tested via a lumbar puncture to confirm eosinophilic meningitis?
Answer
Eosinophils in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
Diagnostic confirmation for eosinophilic meningitis, which indicates parasitic invasion of the central nervous system, often requires obtaining a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through a procedure known as a lumbar puncture or spinal tap. This CSF sample is then analyzed specifically for the presence and elevated levels of eosinophils. The presence of these specific white blood cells in the spinal fluid serves as a key diagnostic marker, strongly suggesting the body is mounting an immune response against a parasitic infection that has reached the CNS.
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