[A clear cerebrospinal fluid - but an unclear diagnosis].

HISTORY: A 35-year-old, previously healthy woman presented with short history of headache and fever. Several other family members reported active hand, foot, and mouth disease.

FINDINGS: Clinical findings showed subfebrile temperatures and a prominent meningism. Cerebrospinal fluid and computed tomography of the head were unrevealing. Subsequent PCR-analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid was positive for Enteroviral-RNA.

DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY: Enteroviral-meningitis was diagnosed. The empirically administered antimicrobial therapy was stopped and further diagnostic tests could be withheld.

COURSE: Symptom-oriented therapy resulted in complete resolution within the next few days.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case emphasizes that, in patients with typical signs of meningeal irritation, normal cellular analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid does not exclude the presence of infectious meningitis. The astute clinician should be reminded that this constellation is highly suggestive of enteroviral meningitis.