A case report on eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis

Int J Med Sci. 2011;8(6):510-3. doi: 10.7150/ijms.8.510. Epub 2011 Aug 27.

Abstract

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis in humans. It is usually caused by ingestion of raw or inadequately cooked intermediate hosts or food contaminated with infective third-stage larvae. We describe a case of eosinophilic meningitis caused by A. cantonensis in a male Chinese patient. The patient had a history of eating raw fish and snail. We describe the clinical features of the patient, the diagnostic process and treatments. We also provide a brief update for physicians on the characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic meningitis caused by A. cantonensis, with particular emphasis on the update of prevalence and treatment of the disease in China.

Keywords: China; angiostrongyliasis; diagnosis; eosinophilic meningitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiostrongylus cantonensis*
  • Animals
  • China
  • Cooking
  • Disease Vectors
  • Eosinophilia / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Eosinophilia / diagnosis
  • Eosinophilia / parasitology*
  • Food Handling
  • Food Parasitology*
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hypertension / etiology
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Aseptic / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Meningitis, Aseptic / diagnosis
  • Meningitis, Aseptic / parasitology*
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis
  • Occupational Diseases / parasitology
  • Seafood / adverse effects
  • Seafood / parasitology*
  • Snails / parasitology
  • Strongylida Infections / complications*
  • Strongylida Infections / transmission
  • Young Adult

Supplementary concepts

  • Angiostrongyliasis