Necrotizing retinitis induced by Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of bilateral necrotizing retinitis induced by Angiostrongylus cantonensis.


METHODS
Interventional case report.


METHODS
A 52-year-old Asian woman developed eosinophilic meningitis after eating several undercooked snails. One week later, sudden onset of vision loss was noted in both eyes. Widespread yellow retinal exudates were accompanied by bullous retinal detachment in both eyes.


RESULTS
Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection was confirmed by positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and a positive Western blot test of the subretinal fluid. After treatment with mebendazole, levamisole, and corticosteroid, these necrotizing patches regressed gradually. However, the final visual acuity was no light perception.


CONCLUSIONS
Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection should be considered as one of the causes of necrotizing retinitis.
Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201 Section 2 Shih-Pai Road, 112 Taipei, Taiwan.
I-Hsien
IH
Liu
Yu-Mei
YM
Chung
Shih-Jen
SJ
Chen
Wen-Long
WL
Cho
D017185:Angiostrongylus cantonensis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007978:Levamisole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008463:Mebendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015882:Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007978:Levamisole; D008463:Mebendazole