Eosinophilic meningitis due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Switzerland

Abstract

Eosinophilic meningitis is a well-known disease in areas where the rat lung worm Angiostrongylus cantonensis is endemic, i.e. in Southeast Asia and in the Caribbean. We report a case of eosinophilic meningitis due to infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis in a traveler returning from Cuba. The diagnosis was based upon symptoms of chronic meningitis associated with hyperesthesia and presence of eosinophilia in the cerebrospinal fluid. With increasing mobility rare infections like eosinophilic meningitis due to A. cantonensis may be encountered in the western hemisphere. A Giemsa stain of the cerebrospinal fluid is crucial for a prompt diagnosis that is confirmed by detection of specific antibodies.