Acute neuroschistosomiasis: two cases associated with cerebral vasculitis

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2007 May;76(5):964-6.

Abstract

Encephalitis and focal neurologic deficits can occur during the acute phase of schistosomiasis. We report two cases in which cerebral imaging showed cerebral vasculitis located in arterial junctional territories. These neurologic complications may be caused by eosinophil-mediated toxicity. Immediate treatment should consist of corticosteroids rather than specific antischistosomal drugs, which may aggravate the disorders.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroschistosomiasis / complications*
  • Neuroschistosomiasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Neuroschistosomiasis / physiopathology
  • Radiography
  • Schistosoma haematobium / isolation & purification
  • Schistosoma haematobium / pathogenicity*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / diagnostic imaging
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / etiology*
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / parasitology
  • Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / physiopathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth