Eosinophilic radiculomyeloencephalitis: an angiostrongyliasis outbreak in American Samoa related to ingestion of Achatina fulica snails

Abstract

For the first time in American Samoa an outbreak of eosinophilic radiculomyeloencephalitis was related to eating giant African snails (Achatina fulica) infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Among 24 Korean fisherman sharing the same infective meal, 16 who ate raw or partially cooked snails became ill; five who ate boiled snails and three who ate none remained well. The ensuing illnesses began within 1-6 days, persisted up to 10 weeks, and were characterized by both peripheral blood and spinal fluid eosinophilia, severe pains, weakness and hyporeflexia of the legs, and dysfunction of the bladder and bowels. Eight patients also had transient hypertension and/or lethargy, and three became comatose. One man died 17 days after eating the infected snails, and maturing larvae of A. cantonensis were found in his spinal cord. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers for antigens of A. cantonensis were elevated to 1:64 or greater (mean 1:128) in all 10 patients tested. Treatment with thiabendazole had no appreciable effect on the clinical course of the illness.