Eosinophilic meningitis due to Angiostrongylus and Gnathostoma species.
Eosinophilic meningitis can be the result of noninfectious causes and infectious agents. Among the infectious agents, Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Gnathostoma spinigerum are the most common. Although angiostrongyliasis and gnathostomiasis are not common in the United States, international travel and immigration make these diseases clinically relevant. Both A. cantonensis and G. spinigerum infection can present as severe CNS compromise. Diagnoses of both infections can be challenging and are often clinical because of a paucity of serological assays readily available in the United States. Furthermore, there are conflicting recommendations about treatment for angiostrongyliasis and gnathostomiasis. To further explore the emerging nature of these helminthic infections, a case description and review of A. cantonensis and G. spinigerum infections are presented. The clinical severity of eosinophilic meningitis and diagnosis of these infections are highlighted.
Ramirez-Avila
Lynn
L
Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. lynn.ramirez@tch.harvard.edu
Slome
Sally
S
Schuster
Frederick L
FL
Gavali
Shilpa
S
Schantz
Peter M
PM
Sejvar
James
J
Glaser
Carol A
CA
D000328:Adult; D000801:Angiostrongylus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000209:etiology*; D006039:Gnathostoma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000469:parasitology*; D017205:Spirurida Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014481:United States