|
Clinical Features:
Clinical symptoms of eosinophilic meningitis are caused by the presence of larvae in the brain and by local host reactions.
Symptoms include severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, seizures, and neurologic abnormalities.
Occasionally, ocular invasion occurs. Eosinophilia is present in most of cases.
Most patients recover fully. Abdominal angiostrongyliasis mimics appendicitis, with
eosinophilia.
Laboratory Diagnosis:
In eosinophilic
meningitis the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is abnormal (elevated pressure, proteins, and
leukocytes; eosinophilia). On rare occasions, larvae have been found in the
CSF.
In abdominal angiostrongyliasis, eggs and larvae can be identified in the tissues
removed at surgery.
Diagnostic
findings
Treatment:
No drug has proven
to be effective for the treatment of A. cantonensis or A. costaricensis
infections. Relief of symptoms for A. cantonensis infections
can be achieved by the use of analgesics, corticosteroids, and careful
removal of the cerebral spinal fluid at frequent intervals. See
recommendations in
The Medical Letter for complete information.
|
|
