Meningitis by Toxocara canis after ingestion of raw ostrich liver

J Korean Med Sci. 2012 Sep;27(9):1105-8. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2012.27.9.1105. Epub 2012 Aug 22.

Abstract

Recently reports on toxocariasis are increasing by serodiagnosis in Korea. A previously healthy 17-yr-old boy complained of headache, fever, dyspnea, and anorexia. He showed symptoms and signs of eosinophilic meningitis with involvement of the lungs and liver. Specific IgG antibody to Toxocara canis larval antigen was positive in serum and cerebrospinal fluid by ELISA. He took raw ostrich liver with his parents 4 weeks before the symptom onset. His parents were seropositive for T. canis antigen but had no symptoms or signs suggesting toxocariasis. This is the first report of toxocariasis in a family due to ingestion of raw ostrich liver in Korea.

Keywords: Meningitis; Ostrich; Raw Liver; Toxocara canis; Visceral Larva Migrans.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood
  • Antibodies, Helminth / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Eating
  • Humans
  • Larva / immunology
  • Liver / parasitology
  • Male
  • Meningitis / diagnosis*
  • Meningitis / parasitology
  • Struthioniformes
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Toxocara canis / growth & development
  • Toxocara canis / immunology*
  • Toxocara canis / isolation & purification
  • Toxocariasis / diagnosis*
  • Toxocariasis / parasitology
  • Toxocariasis / transmission

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth