Korean J Parasitol.
2013 Dec;51(6):613-619. 10.3347/kjp.2013.51.6.613.
Comprehensive Review of Ocular Angiostrongyliasis with Special Reference to Optic Neuritis
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Histology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
- 2Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
- 4Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
- 5Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (Sun Yat-Sen University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510080, China. wuzhd@mail.sysu.edu.cn
- 6Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
- KMID: 1712211
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2013.51.6.613
Abstract
- Angiostrongyliasis, caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, is a food-borne parasitic disease. Its larvae evoke eosinophilic inflammation in the central nervous system, but can also cause pathological changes in the eyes. Among ocular angiostrongyliasis cases, the incidence of optic neuritis is low and only few sporadic reports exist. Some patients with optic neuritis developed obvious hypopsia or even vision loss, which would seriously influence the quality of life of patients. Prompt treatment of optic neuritis caused by A. cantonensis is the key factor for minimizing the incidence of serious complications of this disease. In this review, we first provide a comprehensive overview of ocular angiostrongyliasis, and then focus on the clinical features of optic neuritis caused by A. cantonensis.
