Angiostrongyliasis : Diagnosis

Eosinophilia of peripheral blood or CSF is not always present on initial laboratory testing. Pleocytosis may be absent early in the course of infection. Larvae are rarely detected in the CSF. Beware of fibrin treads which can mimic larvae. The CSF can be clear or cloudy, but does not contain blood (except in case of a traumatic tap of course). The absence of focal lesions on CT or MRI-scanning of the brain distinguishes A. cantonensis infections from most other helminthic infections of the brain. Enhancement of the meninges and globus pallidus (basal ganglia) can be noted on MRI. Immunodiagnosis is possible in some centers. There is a poor correlation between the serological results of serum and CSF.

Category: Medicine Notes