title: Eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis: an emergent disease in Brazil.
abstract: Eosinophilic meningitis (EoM) is an acute disease that affects the central nervous system. It is primarily caused by infection with the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis. This infection was previously restricted to certain Asian countries and the Pacific Islands, but it was first reported in Brazil in 2007. Since then, intermediate and definitive hosts infected with A. cantonensis have been identified within the urban areas of many states in Brazil, including those in the northern, northeastern, southeastern and southern regions. The goals of this review are to draw the attention of the medical community and health centres to the emergence of EoM in Brazil, to compile information about several aspects of the human infection and mode of transmission and to provide a short protocol of procedures for the diagnosis of this disease.
authors: Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
authors: Alessandra Loureiro
authors: AL
authors: Morassutti
authors: Laboratório de Malacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors: Silvana Carvalho
authors: SC
authors: Thiengo
authors: Laboratório de Malacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Fernandez
authors: Department of Medicine, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors: Kittisak
authors: K
authors: Sawanyawisuth
authors: Laboratório de Biologia Parasitária, Faculdade de Biociências, Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Graeff-Teixeira
mesh_terms: D017185:Angiostrongylus cantonensis; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D020807:Central Nervous System Parasitic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D012908:Snails / Q000469:parasitology; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology