Pediatric angiostrongyliasis

Abstract

Angiostrongyliasis, the leading cause worldwide of eosinophilic meningitis, is an emergent disease due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae, transmitted accidentally to humans. Contamination of children usually occurs by direct contact with an infected mollusk. Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis is the major clinical feature of this parasitic infection in humans. It is usually benign for adults, but more severe for children. Clinical symptoms usually combine fever, meningitis, and neurological signs (somnolence, moaning, hypotonia, convulsions, and increased intracranial pressure). Presumptive diagnosis of human angiostrongyliasis is based on epidemiologic characteristics, clinical symptoms, medical history, and laboratory findings, in particular, hypereosinophilia in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Treatment is based on corticosteroids associated with anthelmintics. This work reviews the diagnosis and treatment of this life-threatening (especially in children) parasitic disease and the need for preventive action.

Keywords: angiostrongyliasis; children; eosinophils; meningitis.