infectious diseases
Angiostrongyliasis
Diagnosis of Angiostrongyliasis
If meningitis signs are present, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and complete blood count (A. cantonensis) Sometimes identification of eggs and larvae in tissue obtained during abdominal surgery (A. costaricensis) Angiostrongyliasis is suspected based on a history of ingesting potentially contaminated material, including land snails, slugs, or transfer hosts such as certain land crabs, frogs, toads, or freshwater prawns or shrimp. Patients with meningeal findings require Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap) , which typically shows elevated CSF pressure, protein, and white cells with eosinophils > 10%. Complete blood count shows Diagnosis of gastrointestinal infection due toA. costaricensisis difficult because larvae and eggs are not present in stool; however, if surgery is done (eg, for suspected appendicitis), eggs and larvae can be identified in tissues removed during surgery. A high percentage of eosinophils (>10%) may be present in blood. Immunoassays are not widely available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) forA. cantonensisin CSF; molecular tests forA. costaricensisare available only in research laboratories. 