This is not an answer to your question. I just wanted to point out that there are plenty of examples of complete Einstein manifolds of infinite topological type. I am aware of the following two papers at least: 1. [Complete Ricci-flat Kåhler manifolds of infinite topological type][2], by Anderson, Kronheimer and LeBrun 2. [Continued fractions and Einstein manifolds of infinite topological type][1], by Calderbank and Singer [1]: http://arxiv.org/abs/math/0508614v1 [2]: http://projecteuclid.org/DPubS?service=UI&version=1.0&verb=Display&handle=euclid.cmp/1104179632