Case Report: Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection Presenting as Small Fiber Neuropathy.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an emerging parasite that is the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide. Human infection typically presents with headache, neck stiffness, and paresthesia. We report a case of a woman with PCR positive A. cantonensis infection who presented with symptoms of small fiber neuropathy (SFN) but no headache. SFN was confirmed by skin biopsy. After failing standard medications for neuropathy, she was treated with intravenous lidocaine with considerable improvement. However, she required medications for 1 year to treat her chronic neuropathy. Infection by A. cantonensis should be added to the list of causes of SFN, and its potential to cause chronic sequelae should be appreciated.

Case Report: Molecular Diagnosis of Cystoisospora belli in a Severely Immunocompromised Patient with HIV and Kaposi Sarcoma.

Diarrhea in an immunocompromised patient has a broad infectious differential. Diagnosis is difficult despite advances in diagnostic modalities. We report a case of a 45-year-old Nigerian woman who immigrated to the United States 2 years ago. She presented to the hospital with gastrointestinal bleeding, newly diagnosed HIV, and disseminated Kaposi sarcoma. During hospitalization, the patient had an onset of watery diarrhea and high eosinophilia. Subsequent stool analysis using multi-parallel real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction for 13 parasites was positive for Cystoisospora belli. The patient was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, but had relapsed disease when her antibiotics were stopped prematurely. After restarting trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, her diarrhea and eosinophilia improved, and she had undetectable Cystoisospora belli DNA on repeat stool quantitative polymerase chain reaction. This case highlights the importance of a thorough workup for diarrhea, including parasites, especially for immunocompromised patients. Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended in patients with Cystoisospora belli and HIV/AIDS.

Eosinophilia and parasitic infestations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Eosinophilia may guide response to inhaled corticosteroid treatment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to determine prevalence of eosinophilia and parasitic infestations in these patients. We conducted a prospective cohort study between February 2019 and January 2020 and screened 107 stable COPD patients. A total of 77 subjects (84.4% men) were included. Age was 73.8 ± 8.9 years. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 66.5 ± 25.5%. Smoking history was 25.9 ± 18 pack-years. Comorbidities included cardiovascular disease (57.1%). Respiratory symptoms were assessed by modified Medical Research Council dyspnea score (1.6 ± 0.8), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Assessment Test score (9.3 ± 4.9), and 6-min walking distance (317.2 ± 135.2 m). Patients with blood eosinophil count at least 100 cells/µL were 79.2% and at least 300 cells/µL were 33.8%. Intestinal parasites were not found. Significant positive correlations were found between high blood eosinophilia and some post-bronchodilator lung function parameters. In conclusion, eosinophilic COPD was not uncommon. No intestinal parasite was found in this population. This study suggests that stool parasite exam might be omitted for routine practice.Clinicaltrials.in.th Number: TCTR20191129002.

Recurrent eosinophilic pleuritis caused by sparganum infection: A case report and review of the literature.

RATIONALE: Sparganosis is an infectious disease caused by a larval tapeworm of the genus Spirometra, which commonly invades subcutaneous tissues. Pulmonary and pleural involvement due to sparganum has been rarely reported previously. PATIENT CONCERNS: We herein described a case of recurrent eosinophilic pleuritis in a 24-year-old woman. She was admitted with persistent cough and shortness of breath for more than 1 month. Initial chest computed tomography scan suggested right pleural effusion and diffuse pleural thickening. Slightly elevated eosinophil counts were found in both the peripheral blood and pleural fluid. She underwent right pleurectomy but histological examination failed to obtain an etiological diagnosis. Moreover, eosinophilic pleural effusion re-appeared in the contralateral thoracic cavity one month later. After re-admission, we reviewed her medical history meticulously and found she had a history of ingesting raw snake gallbladders before hospitalization. The final diagnosis was confirmed by the markedly positive reaction against sparganum antigen in both serum and pleural fluid sample. DIAGNOSIS: Eosinophilic pleuritis caused by sparganum infection. INTERVENTIONS: After the diagnosis, the patient was treated with praziquantel at 75 mg/kg/d for 3 days. OUTCOMES: Pleural effusion absorbed completely and eosinophil count in peripheral blood returned to normal range. No evidence of recurrent pleural effusion had been observed in over one year of follow-up. LESSONS: Clinicians need to be aware the possibility of sparganum infection in cases of eosinophilic pleuritis. The specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay remains a useful method in acquiring a rapid diagnosis, especially when histological examination is unable to detect the larvae in the thoracic cavity.

Imaging of toxocariasis.

Several imaging modalities have now been employed to visualize the manifestations of larval Toxocara infection in hepatic, neurologic, ocular, renal, and other anatomical sites. This report reviews the usefulness and value of these individual imaging methods in diagnosis and follow-up of the different cases causing eosinophilic (granulomatous) infiltrations the liver, lungs, brain, heart, and eyes. Imaging provides a means of assisting in diagnosis and management in this infection where diagnosis by biopsy is often unlikely to capture an actual larva for the purpose of making a definitive diagnosis on the basis of larval morphology or DNA detection.

Schistosoma and Strongyloides screening in migrants initiating HIV Care in Canada: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Following migration from Schistosoma and Strongyloides endemic to non-endemic regions, people remain at high risk for adverse sequelae from these chronic infections. HIV co-infected persons are particularly vulnerable to the serious and potentially fatal consequences of untreated helminth infection. While general screening guidelines exist for parasitic infection screening in immigrant populations, they remain silent on HIV positive populations. This study assessed the seroprevalence, epidemiology and laboratory characteristics of these two parasitic infections in a non-endemic setting in an immigrant/refugee HIV positive community. METHODS: Between February 2015 and 2018 individuals born outside of Canada receiving care at the centralized HIV clinic serving southern Alberta, Canada were screened by serology and direct stool analysis for schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis. Canadian born persons with travel-based exposure risk factors were also screened. Epidemiologic and laboratory values were analyzed using bivariate logistic regression. We assessed the screening utility of serology, direct stool analysis, eosinophilia and hematuria. RESULTS: 253 HIV positive participants were screened. The prevalence of positive serology for Schistosoma and Strongyloides was 19.9 and 4.4%, respectively. Age between 40 and 50 years (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.13-5.50), refugee status (3.55, 1.72-7.33), country of origin within Africa (6.15, 2.44-18.60), eosinophilia (3.56, 1.25-10.16) and CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (2.46, 1.02-5.92) were associated with positive Schistosoma serology. Eosinophilia (11.31, 2.03-58.94) was associated with positive Strongyloides serology. No Schistosoma or Strongyloides parasites were identified by direct stool microscopy. Eosinophilia had poor sensitivity for identification of positive serology. Hematuria was not associated with positive Schistosoma serology. CONCLUSION: Positive Schistosoma and Strongyloides serology was common in this migrant HIV positive population receiving HIV care in Southern Alberta. This supports the value of routine parasitic screening as part of standard HIV care in non-endemic areas. Given the high morbidity and mortality in this relatively immunosuppressed population, especially for Strongyloides infection, screening should include both serologic and direct parasitological tests. Eosinophilia and hematuria should not be used for Schistosoma and Strongyloides serologic screening in HIV positive migrants in non-endemic settings.

Atypical Presentation of Human Acute Muscular Sarcocystosis: Sarcocystis Nesbitti Confirmed on Molecular Testing.

BACKGROUND Acute muscular sarcocystosis (AMS) is one of a spectrum of diseases caused by the Sarcocystis parasite which infects humans in regions where it is endemic. Infections present with non-specific signs and symptoms and have been known to occur in clusters. CASE REPORT A 51-year-old Vietnamese male presented to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore with 3 weeks of fever, urticarial rash, non-productive cough, and lower back pain. He had an extensive travel history prior to presentation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed myositis involving the paravertebral and upper thigh muscles. The infection was confirmed on open muscle biopsy and Sarcocystis nesbitti was identified on molecular testing. The patient was treated with prednisone and methotrexate. CONCLUSIONS AMS must be considered in a patient with history of exposure to an endemic area. Diagnosis of the condition and identification of S. nesbitti as the causative organism will help to further study of this particular condition and guide treatment.

Diagnosis and surgical management of pericardial effusion due to paragonimiasis.

OBJECTIVES: The pericardial effusion (PE) caused by paragonimiasis is rarely reported. This study aims to present experience in the diagnosis and surgical management of PE due to paragonimiasis. METHODS: Medical records of 57 children who were diagnosed with PE due to paragonimiasis and underwent surgery at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 2012 and August 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The average age of this group was 7.6 ± 3.0 years. Patients were mainly from Chongqing and Sichuan areas. ELISA for Paragonimus skrjabini in all 57 patients showed positive results. Moderate or large PE were identified in 12 and 45 patients, respectively. All patients underwent surgery either by pericardectomy or thoracoscopic surgery. Pathological exams indicated massive eosinophil infiltration in all 57 specimens. After 3-4 courses of praziquantel therapy, the clinical outcomes were satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Typical endemic history, eosinophilia and multiple serous effusion raise suspicions of paragonimiasis. Once moderate to large PE is identified in patients with paragonimiasis, surgical treatment is necessary.

Clinical and laboratory characterizations of hepatic capillariasis.

Hepatic capillariasis is a rare and neglected parasitic disease caused by infection with Capillaria hepatica in human liver. The disease is not well described and the information for the disease's clinical manifestation, laboratory findings and disease management strategy is not well reported. The limited information for this neglected infection often results in the delay of diagnosis or misdiagnosed to other diseases, therefore the real prevalence or severity of the infection may be underestimated. More case report with systemic analysis and features summary of this disease is needed to better understand the serious zoonotic disease. This study included systemic analysis of 16 patients infected with hepatic capillariasis in China between 2011-2017, including clinical manifestations, laboratory/radiative image findings and treatment results. Clinical manifestation included sustained fever (56.25%), respiratory disorder (37.5%), abdominal pain (37.5%), diarrhea (25%), leukocytosis (93.75%) and eosinophilia (100%). No egg was detected in feces of all patients. Over 60% patients showed elevated level of hepatic enzymes and proteins related to liver fibrosis in sera. Ultrasound and MRI examinations displayed scattered parasitic granuloma leisure in affected liver. Liver biopsy revealed parasite eggs, necrotized parasitic granulomas and septal fibrosis. Treatment with albendazole combined with corticoids for several treatment courses cured all patients with capillariasis. The difficulty of diagnosis, apparent damage of liver functions and potential fibrosis make the disease's prevalence and severity underestimated.

Case Report: Hepatic Fascioliasis in a Young Afghani Woman with Severe Wheezing, High-Grade Peripheral Eosinophilia, and Liver Lesions: A Brief Literature Review.

A 23-year-old recent emigrant from Afghanistan presented in August 2017 with severe wheezing and dyspnea that required hospital admission. Her illness was associated with marked peripheral blood eosinophilia (9,900-15,600/µL; 45.2-68%), as well as mild nausea, epigastric pain, and decreased appetite. She had lived until 3 months earlier in close proximity to cattle in her home in Kabul and did not recall eating watercress or other leafy plants associated with Fasciola hepatica transmission. Computerized tomography scanning showed bilateral ground-glass lung consolidations and multiple distinctive hypo-attenuating linear, tubuliform, and nodular liver lesions, including a large subcapsular hematoma. Numerous tests for rheumatological and malignant disorders were negative. Fasciola hepatica infestation was suspected on epidemiological, clinical, and radiographic grounds, and was confirmed by immunoblotting at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Multiple stool ova and parasite examinations were negative and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography did not identify trematodes. Her acute respiratory illness resolved with asthma-targeted therapies and her eosinophilia resolved with triclabendazole, which was obtained from CDC via an FDA Investigational New Drug application. Fascioliasis is uncommon in the United States, but the prolonged warfare and civil strife in Afghanistan and adjacent areas may lead to increased incidence outside the endemic region. Her case also demonstrates how hepatic imaging features of fascioliasis can be pathognomonic in clinical scenarios with eosinophilia and appropriate epidemiology and clinical features. We also highlight her relatively unusual presentation with symptoms of Loeffler-like syndrome alone.

Space Occupying Lesion in the Liver Caused by Hepatic Visceral Larva Migrans: A Case Report.

Visceral larva migrans (VLM) is one of the clinical syndromes of human toxocariasis. We report a case of hepatic VLM presenting preprandial malaise and epigastric discomfort in a 58-year-old woman drinking raw roe deer blood. The imaging studies of the abdomen showed a 74-mm hepatic mass featuring hepatic VLM. Anti-Toxocara canis immunoglobulin G (IgG) was observed in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot. Despite anthelmintic treatment, the patient complained of newly developed cough and skin rash with severe eosinophilia. Hepatic lesion increased in size. The patient underwent an open left lobectomy of the liver. After the surgery, the patient was free of symptoms such as preprandial malaise, epigastric discomfort, cough, and skin rash. Laboratory test showed a normal eosinophilic count at postoperative 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 4 years. The initial optical density value of 2.55 of anti-T. canis IgG in ELISA was found to be negative (0.684) at postoperative 21 months. Our case report highlights that a high degree of clinical suspicion for hepatic VLM should be considered in a patient with a history of ingestion of raw food in the past, presenting severe eosinophilia and a variety of symptoms which reflect high worm burdens. Symptom remission, eosinophilia remission, and complete radiological resolution of lesions can be complete with surgery.

Polyparasitism of Rhabditis Axei and Enterobius Vermicularis in a Child from Beijing, China.

BACKGROUND: Rhabditis (Rhabditellae) axei is a common species in soil, which has been reported repeatedly in human urine and the digestive system. Humans exposed to sewage or mistakenly polluted sewage is the cause of larvae infecting the digestive tract or via the urethra. We reported a patient infected with Rhabditis axei and Enterobius Vermicularis. The migration of the nematodes caused true signs of hematuria, diarrhea, and high eosinophilia. METHODS: Stool and urine are collected to detect parasite eggs and genotype. Specimens are sent for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based species identification. Amplification of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene was performed by PCR as described [1]. RESULTS: Morphological features and PCR amplification of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene confirmed Rhabditis axei and Enterobius vermicularis as the pathogen of infection. CONCLUSIONS: Herein, we presented a case that confirmed Rhabditis axei and Enterobius vermicularis infection in humans can be associated with high eosinophilia.

Successful Treatment of Strongyloides stercoralis Hyperinfection in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: Case Report.

Strongyloides stercoralis (SS) can cause hyperinfection and disseminated infection in immunosuppressed individuals, with risk of mortality. We report the case of a cadaveric kidney transplant recipient who developed gastrointestinal symptoms and eosinophilia, approximately 3 months after transplantation. Stool examination and esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsies were positive for SS larvae. The patient was started on oral ivermectin and immunosuppression was reduced, but still the clinical picture got worse with metabolic ileus and respiratory symptoms, with the need for administration of subcutaneous ivermectin and combined therapy with albendazol. The patient survived and graft function was preserved. The patient was unlikely to be the source of infection. We also present a review of cases of SS infection in kidney transplant recipients.

Angiostrongylus costaricensis infection in Martinique, Lesser Antilles, from 2000 to 2017.

Human abdominal angiostrongyliasis (HAA) is a parasitic disease caused by the accidental ingestion of the nematode Angiostrongylus costaricensis in its larval form. Human infection can lead to severe ischemic and inflammatory intestinal lesions, sometimes complicated by life-threatening ileal perforations. Only one case had been reported in Martinique, an Island in the French Antilles, in 1988. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of patients diagnosed with abdominal angiostrongyliasis at the University Hospital of Martinique between 2000 and 2017. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the incidence and perform a descriptive analysis of the clinical, biological, radiological, and histopathological features of HAA in Martinique. Two confirmed cases and two probable cases were identified in patients aged from 1 to 21 years during the 18-year period, with an estimated incidence of 0.2 cases per year (0.003 case/year/100.000 inhabitants (IC95% = 0.00-0.05)). All patients presented with abdominal pain associated with high blood eosinophilia (median: 7.24 G/L [min 4.25; max 52.28 G/L]). Two developed ileal perforation and were managed by surgery, with diagnostic confirmation based on histopathological findings on surgical specimens. The other two cases were probable, with serum specimens reactive to Angiostrongylus sp. antigen in the absence of surgery. All cases improved without sequelae. The description of this case series highlights the need to increase awareness of this life-threatening disease in the medical community and to facilitate access to specific diagnostic tools in Martinique. Environmental and epidemiological studies are needed to broaden our knowledge of the burden of this disease.

TITLE: Infections par Angiostrongylus costaricensis à la Martinique, Antilles, de 2000 à 2017. ABSTRACT: L'angiostrongylose abdominale humaine (AAH) est une maladie parasitaire causée par l'ingestion accidentelle du nématode Angiostrongylus costaricensis sous sa forme larvaire. L'infection humaine peut conduire à des lésions intestinales ischémiques et inflammatoires sévères, parfois compliquées par des perforations iléales menaçant le pronostic vital. Un seul cas avait été signalé en Martinique, une île des Antilles françaises, en 1988. Nous avons revu rétrospectivement les dossiers médicaux des patients ayant reçu un diagnostic d'angiostrongylose abdominale au CHU de la Martinique entre 2000 et 2017. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient d'évaluer l'incidence et effectuer une analyse descriptive des caractéristiques cliniques, biologiques, radiologiques et histopathologiques de l'AAH en Martinique. Deux cas confirmés et deux cas probables ont été identifiés chez des patients âgés de 1 à 21 ans au cours de la période de 18 ans, avec une incidence estimée à 0,2 cas par an (0,003 cas / an / 100 000 habitants (IC95% = 0,00 − 0,05)). Tous les patients présentaient une douleur abdominale associée à une éosinophilie sanguine élevée (médiane: 7,24 G/L [min 4,25; max 52,28 G / L]). Deux ont développé une perforation iléale et ont été traités par chirurgie, avec une confirmation diagnostique basée sur les résultats histopathologiques sur des échantillons chirurgicaux. Les deux autres cas étaient probables, avec des échantillons sériques réagissant aux antigènes d'Angiostrongylus sp. en l'absence de chirurgie. Tous les cas se sont améliorés sans séquelles. La description de cette série de cas souligne la nécessité de sensibiliser davantage la communauté médicale à cette maladie potentiellement mortelle et de faciliter l'accès à des outils diagnostiques spécifiques en Martinique. Des études environnementales et épidémiologiques sont nécessaires pour élargir nos connaissances sur cette parasitose.

Interleukin-4 activated macrophages mediate immunity to filarial helminth infection by sustaining CCR3-dependent eosinophilia.

Eosinophils are effectors in immunity to tissue helminths but also induce allergic immunopathology. Mechanisms of eosinophilia in non-mucosal tissues during infection remain unresolved. Here we identify a pivotal function of tissue macrophages (Mϕ) in eosinophil anti-helminth immunity using a BALB/c mouse intra-peritoneal Brugia malayi filarial infection model. Eosinophilia, via C-C motif chemokine receptor (CCR)3, was necessary for immunity as CCR3 and eosinophil impairments rendered mice susceptible to chronic filarial infection. Post-infection, peritoneal Mϕ populations proliferated and became alternatively-activated (AAMϕ). Filarial AAMϕ development required adaptive immunity and interleukin-4 receptor-alpha. Depletion of Mϕ prior to infection suppressed eosinophilia and facilitated worm survival. Add back of filarial AAMϕ in Mϕ-depleted mice recapitulated a vigorous eosinophilia. Transfer of filarial AAMϕ into Severe-Combined Immune Deficient mice mediated immunological resistance in an eosinophil-dependent manner. Exogenous IL-4 delivery recapitulated tissue AAMϕ expansions, sustained eosinophilia and mediated immunological resistance in Mϕ-intact SCID mice. Co-culturing Brugia with filarial AAMϕ and/or filarial-recruited eosinophils confirmed eosinophils as the larvicidal cell type. Our data demonstrates that IL-4/IL-4Rα activated AAMϕ orchestrate eosinophil immunity to filarial tissue helminth infection.

Eosinophilia, a marker of asymptomatic Strongyloides infection, in a young patient with extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Strongyloides stercoralis infection is a common and neglected public health problem in many areas of the world. Here we report the case of a 21-year-old woman who emigrated from Cambodia to Japan and presented with swelling of the right supraclavicular region of 2 months' duration. She had no other symptoms. Tuberculous lymphadenitis was diagnosed based on a fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the right supraclavicular lymph node. The laboratory examination revealed mild eosinophilia (eosinophils 1348/µL).S. stercoralis and Hymenolepis nana were detected serologically and in faeces examination. This case demonstrates that clinicians should search for S. stercoralis infection in patients with tuberculosis who have epidemiological risk factors and/or laboratory signs of eosinophilia, even if other symptoms and signs of helminths infection are less obvious.

Evaluation of the prevalence and clinical impact of toxocariasis in patients with eosinophilia of unknown origin.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Eosinophilia has numerous diverse causes, and in many patients, it is not possible to establish the cause of eosinophilia. Recently, toxocariasis was introduced as one cause of eosinophilia. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of toxocariasis and the clinical impact of albendazole treatment for toxocariasis in patients suspected of eosinophilia of unknown origin. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review. After evaluation of cause of eosinophilia, the patients suspected of eosinophilia of unknown origin performed immunoglobulin G antibody specific assay for the Toxocara canis larval antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: This study evaluated 113 patients, 69 patients (61%) were suspected of eosinophilia of unknown origin. Among these 69 patients, the frequency of T. canis infection was very high (45 patients, 65.2%), and albendazole treatment for 45 eosinophilia with toxocariasis was highly effective for a cure of eosinophilia than no albendazole group regardless of steroid (82.3%, p = 0.007). Furthermore, among the nonsteroid treated small group (19 patients), albendazole treatment for eosinophilia were more effective than no albendazole group, too (83.3% vs. 28.6 %, p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of toxocariasis was high among patients suspected of eosinophilia of unknown origin; therefore, evaluation for T. canis infection is recommended for patients with eosinophilia of unknown origin. Furthermore, for patients suspected of eosinophilia of unknown origin who have positive results for T. canis, albendazole treatment may be considered a valuable treatment option.