Korean J Parasitol.  2013 Dec;51(6):735-738. 10.3347/kjp.2013.51.6.735.

Clinical Manifestations of Eosinophilic Meningitis Due to Infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Children

• Sawanyawisuth K
• Chindaprasirt J
• Senthong V
• Limpawattana P
• Auvichayapat N
• Tassniyom
• Chotmongkol V
• Maleewong
• Intapan PM

• KMID: 1712229
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2013.51.6.735

Abstract

Eosinophilic meningitis, caused by the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is prevalent in northeastern Thailand, most commonly in adults. Data regarding clinical manifestations of this condition in children is limited and may be different those in adults. A chart review was done on 19 eosinophilic meningitis patients aged less than 15 years in Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Clinical manifestations and outcomes were reported using descriptive statistics. All patients had presented with severe headache. Most patients were males, had fever, nausea or vomiting, stiffness of the neck, and a history of snail ingestion. Six patients had papilledema or cranial nerve palsies. It was shown that the clinical manifestations of eosinophilic meningitis due to A. cantonensis in children are different from those in adult patients. Fever, nausea, vomiting, hepatomegaly, neck stiffness, and cranial nerve palsies were all more common in children than in adults.

Keyword

Angiostrongylus cantonensis; eosinophilic meningitis; children; clinical manifestation

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Angiostrongylus cantonensis/*isolation & purification
Animals
Child
Child, Preschool
Eosinophilia/complications/etiology/*pathology
Female
Humans
Male
Meningitis/complications/etiology/*pathology
Middle Aged
Patient Outcome Assessment
Strongylida Infections/parasitology/*pathology
Thailand
Young Adult