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Helminthic eosinophilic meningitis: emerging zoonotic diseases in the South

James H Diaz1

  • 1School of Public Health, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

The Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society : Official Organ of the Louisiana State Medical Society
|March 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Emerging infectious diseases like neuroangiostrongyliasis and baylisascariasis, causing eosinophilic meningitis (EoM), are now endemic in the US. Louisiana clinicians should be aware of at-risk populations for these zoonotic parasitic infections.

Area of Science:

  • Zoonotic infectious diseases
  • Parasitology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Emerging infectious diseases often originate as zoonoses in the natural environment.
  • Helminthic infections causing eosinophilic meningitis (EoM), such as neuroangiostrongyliasis and baylisascariasis, are increasingly recognized in the US.
  • These infections are often imported and can spread through various means, including trade and exotic pets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the evolving epidemiology of eosinophilic meningitis (EoM) in the US, with a specific focus on Louisiana.
  • To alert Louisiana clinicians to populations at increased risk for helminthic EoM.
  • To highlight the changing geographic distribution and endemicity of zoonotic parasitic diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific articles indexed in MEDLINE from 1966 to 2008.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data on neuroangiostrongyliasis and baylisascariasis.
  • Identification of risk factors associated with EoM in specific populations.

Main Results:

  • Neuroangiostrongyliasis, caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is now endemic in the US.
  • Baylisascariasis, caused by Baylisascaris procyonis, has expanded its range across the US, including Louisiana.
  • Both A. cantonensis and B. procyonis have caused EoM in humans in Louisiana.

Conclusions:

  • Parasitic diseases causing EoM are no longer confined to tropical regions and are now endemic in the US and Louisiana.
  • Increased awareness and vigilance are needed among clinicians regarding these infections.
  • More cases of helminthic EoM are anticipated due to the establishment and spread of these zoonotic parasites.

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