Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Mar 2024)

Gnathostoma infection after ingestion of raw fish is a probable cause of eosinophilic meningitis in the Brazilian Amazon

  • Carlos Graeff-Teixeira,
  • Dayse Souza de Pauli,
  • Carlos Alexandre Martins Zicarelli,
  • Vanessa Fey Pascoal,
  • Estefany de Paula Paiva-Novaes,
  • João Pedro Sarcinelli Chagas,
  • Betina Bolina Kersanach,
  • David Jamil Hadad,
  • Letícia Karolini Walger-Schultz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0434-2023
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 57

Abstract

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ABSTRACT We report a case of eosinophilic meningitis associated with the ingestion of raw fish (Cichla sp.) from the Brazilian Amazon, likely caused by Gnathostoma. A 36-year-old male visited Juruena river on a fishing trip. After 50 days, the patient presented with an intense frontal headache. A cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed 63% eosinophilia. Another individual who ingested raw fish developed linear dermatitis on the abdominal wall. Anti-Gnathostoma serum antibodies were detected, and the patient made a full recovery after treatment with corticosteroids and albendazole. To date, autochthonous Gnathostoma spp. infections in Latin American countries have only caused linear panniculitis. This report raises awareness of gnathostomiasis-causing meningitis.

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