Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis due to Toxocara canis: case report and review of the literature

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2003 Sep;69(3):341-3.

Abstract

Toxocariasis is usually manifested as visceral larva migrans. Nervous system involvement is a rare complication. In this report, we describe one case of meningoencephalitis due to Toxocara canis and review the literature. We report a previously healthy two-year-old boy who was admitted after 24 hours of severe neurologic symptoms with marked eosinophilic pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid and a single subcortical lesion detected by cerebral magnetic resonance imaging. Both serum and spinal fluid tested positive for T. canis. Initial treatment with thiabendazole was ineffective. After marked improvement in clinical and laboratory results were achieved using albendazole and corticosteroids, the child was discharged.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Albendazole / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / administration & dosage
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Meningoencephalitis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Meningoencephalitis / diagnosis*
  • Meningoencephalitis / drug therapy
  • Meningoencephalitis / etiology
  • Meningoencephalitis / pathology
  • Toxocara canis / isolation & purification*
  • Toxocariasis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Toxocariasis / diagnosis*
  • Toxocariasis / drug therapy
  • Toxocariasis / etiology
  • Toxocariasis / pathology

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anthelmintics
  • Albendazole