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Meningitis by Toxocara canis after ingestion of raw ostrich liver

Young Noh1, Sung-Tae Hong, Ji Young Yun

  • 1Department of Neurology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

Journal of Korean Medical Science
|September 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Toxocariasis is rising in Korea, with a family contracting the infection after eating raw ostrich liver. This case highlights a new transmission route for this parasitic disease.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Case Study

Background:

  • Toxocariasis, a parasitic infection caused by Toxocara species, is increasingly diagnosed via serodiagnosis in Korea.
  • Ostrich liver consumption is a potential, though less common, route of human toxocariasis transmission.

Observation:

  • A 17-year-old male presented with eosinophilic meningitis, fever, headache, dyspnea, and anorexia.
  • The patient and his parents consumed raw ostrich liver four weeks prior to symptom onset.
  • Serological testing revealed specific IgG antibodies to Toxocara canis larval antigen in the patient's serum and cerebrospinal fluid.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with toxocariasis, complicated by eosinophilic meningitis, lung, and liver involvement.
  • The patient's parents were seropositive for Toxocara canis antibodies but asymptomatic.
  • This is the first reported family case of toxocariasis linked to raw ostrich liver ingestion in Korea.

Implications:

  • This case expands the known dietary sources for human toxocariasis.
  • It underscores the importance of considering atypical food sources in parasitic disease transmission.
  • Public health awareness regarding the risks of consuming raw animal organs is crucial.
Keywords:
MeningitisOstrichRaw LiverToxocara canisVisceral Larva Migrans

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