title: [Presentation of cerebral toxocariasis with mental confusion in an adult: case report and review of the literature].
abstract: Toxocariasis is usually responsible for visceral larva migrans syndroms. Nervous system involvement is a rare complication. In this report, we describe one case of meningoencephalitis due to Toxocara canis in a 73-year-old man presenting with mental confusion. The diagnosis of cerebral toxocariasis was confirmed by immunodiagnosis in both serum and cerebro-spinal fluid. Cerebral toxocariasis may be suspected in patients presenting with some neurological patterns including: confusion, meningitis, meningo-encephalitis, meningo-myelitis, when the etiological assessment remains negative and the environmental context is favourable. Finding evidence of specific antibodies in both cerebro spinal fluid and serum is mandatory for the diagnosis. The main clinical features concerning cerebral toxocariasis, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic measures are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Clinique Neurologique, CHU Nantes, Hôpital Laënnec, Saint-Herblain, France.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maiga
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiertlewski
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Desal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marjolet
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Damier
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020809:Central Nervous System Helminthiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003221:Confusion / Q000469:parasitology; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology*; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*