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Case Reports
. 2018 Jun;24(6):1153-1155.
doi: 10.3201/eid2406.180168.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection of Central Nervous System, Guiana Shield

Antoine L Defo, Noémie Lachaume, Emma Cuadro-Alvarez, Chimène Maniassom, Elise Martin, Falucar Njuieyon, Fanny Henaff, Yajaira Mrsic, Annabelle Brunelin, Loic Epelboin, Denis Blanchet, Dorothée Harrois, Nicole Desbois-Nogard, Yvonne Qvarnstrom, Magalie Demar, Céline Dard, Narcisse Elenga
Case Reports

Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infection of Central Nervous System, Guiana Shield

Antoine L Defo et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Jun.

Abstract

We report a case of eosinophilic meningitis complicated by transverse myelitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in a 10-year-old boy from Brazil who had traveled to Suriname. We confirmed diagnosis by serology and real-time PCR in the cerebrospinal fluid. The medical community should be aware of angiostrongyliasis in the Guiana Shield.

Keywords: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Guiana Shield; eosinophilic meningitis; meningitis/encephalitis; nematodes; parasites; transverse myelitis.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine in a 10-year-old boy from Brazil with Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection. A) MRI before treatment showing myelitis; sagittal T1 postcontrast sequences show intramedullary enhancement in the thoracic spinal cord T2–T10 with diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement (arrows). B) Normal MRI 1 month after treatment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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