Emerging Infectious Diseases (Aug 2016)

Baylisascaris procyonis–Associated Meningoencephalitis in a Previously Healthy Adult, California, USA

  • Charles Langelier,
  • Michael J. Reid,
  • Cathra Halabi,
  • Natalie Witek,
  • Alejandro LaRiviere,
  • Maulik Shah,
  • Michael R. Wilson,
  • Peter Chin-Hong,
  • Vanja Douglas,
  • Kevin R. Kazacos,
  • Jennifer M. Babik

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2208.151939
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 8
pp. 1480 – 1484

Abstract

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After severe neurocognitive decline developed in an otherwise healthy 63-year-old man, brain magnetic resonance imaging showed eosinophilic meningoencephalitis and enhancing lesions. The patient tested positive for antibodies to Baylisascaris spp. roundworms, was treated with albendazole and dexamethasone, and showed improvement after 3 months. Baylisascariasis should be considered for all patients with eosinophilic meningitis.

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