Medullary gnathostomiasis in a white patient: use of immunodiagnosis and magnetic resonance imaging.
A 48-year-old French diplomat presented with a sensory-motor paraparesis of rapid onset, leading to paraplegia. Successive magnetic resonance image scans showed lesions of the thoracic spinal cord that were at different levels from one examination to the next. Specific anti-gnathostome antibodies were detected by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot test in both plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Albendazole treatment prevented disease progression, but only partial regression of the neurologic symptoms was obtained.
Chandenier
J
J
Service de Parasitologie, Mycologie et Médecine des Voyages, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Amiens, France. jac-bri.chandenier@wanadoo.fr
Husson
J
J
Canaple
S
S
Gondry-Jouet
C
C
Dekumyoy
P
P
Danis
M
M
Riveau
G
G
Hennequin
C
C
Rosa
A
A
Raccurt
C P
CP
D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000379:methods; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D006039:Gnathostoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D017205:Spirurida Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D044465:White People
D000871:Anthelmintics; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D015766:Albendazole