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Angiostrongylus cantonensis Meningoencephalitis in Three Pediatric Patients in Florida, USA

Melinda D Chance1, Anniesha D Noel1, Amelia B Thompson1

  • 1AdventHealth for Children, Orlando, Florida, USA.

Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
|November 12, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Three children in Florida were diagnosed with eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, a rare brain inflammation caused by the rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis. This marks the first local cases, highlighting a growing concern for this parasitic infection in the region.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis (EoM) is a serious neurological condition.
  • Angiostrongylus cantonensis (the rat lungworm) is a known cause of EoM.
  • Previous cases have been reported in southern U.S. states and Hawai'i.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the first locally acquired human cases of Angiostrongylus cantonensis meningoencephalitis in Florida.
  • To raise awareness among clinicians in the region about this potential diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • Case identification of three children diagnosed with A. cantonensis meningoencephalitis.
  • Data collection on the temporal occurrence of these cases (June 2021 - January 2022).

Main Results:

  • Three pediatric cases of locally acquired Angiostrongylus cantonensis meningoencephalitis were confirmed in Florida.
  • These cases occurred between June 2021 and January 2022.

Conclusions:

  • Angiostrongylus cantonensis meningoencephalitis is a newly recognized, locally acquired infection in Florida.
  • Healthcare providers in Florida should consider A. cantonensis infection in patients presenting with meningoencephalitis symptoms.
Keywords:
Angiostrongylus cantonensisangiostrongyliasiseosinophiliaeosinophilic meningitisrat lung worm

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