A severe case of Angiostrongylus eosinophilic meningitis with encephalitis and neurologic sequelae in Hawa'i.
Hawaii J Med Public Health
; 72(6 Suppl 2): 41-5, 2013 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23901383
ABSTRACT
Angiostrongylus eosinophilic meningitis is caused by infection with larvae of the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis. We report the case of an adult who ingested a raw, giant African snail (Achatina fulica) on the island of O'ahu in Hawa'i and developed an eosinophilic meningoencephalitis with severe headache, confusion, sixth cranial nerve palsy, ataxia, limb weakness, and paresthesia. He was treated with lumbar punctures to relieve pressure, high dose corticosteroids, and 14 days of albendazole. He had a prolonged convalescence, requiring 3 months of prednisone, and still had evidence of motor nerve weakness 4 months after exposure. A field investigation at the site of exposure yielded 5 of 9 Achatina fulica snails with evidence of A. cantonensis DNA by PCR. Cerebrospinal fluid samples from the patient were negative acutely but positive on day 15 of symptoms, using an investigational, real-time PCR assay. We discuss clinical management of this case in light of the current medical literature.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Infecciones por Strongylida
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Angiostrongylus cantonensis
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Eosinofilia
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Meningoencefalitis
Límite:
Adult
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Animals
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Hawaii J Med Public Health
Año:
2013
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos