infectious diseases
Angiostrongyliasis
Key Points
Humans acquireAngiostrongyluswhen they consume raw or undercooked snails or slugs or the organisms' transport hosts (certain land crabs, frogs, toads, or freshwater prawns or shrimp). A. cantonensislarvae migrate from the gastrointestinal tract to the meninges, where they cause eosinophilic meningitis;A. costaricensiseggs can be released into the intestinal tissues, causing abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. Eggs are not present in the stool of patients with angiostrongyliasis. TreatA. cantonensisneural infection with meningitis with analgesics, corticosteroids, and, if intracranial pressure is elevated, removal of cerebrospinal fluid at frequent intervals. TreatingA. costaricensisabdominal infection with anthelmintics does not appear to be effective and may lead to additional migration of worms and worsening symptoms; most of these infections resolve spontaneously. 