Angiostrongylus cantonensis DNA in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Persons with Eosinophilic Meningitis, Laos

Abstract

Definitive identification of Angiostrongylus cantonensis parasites from clinical specimens is difficult. As a result, regional epidemiology and burden are poorly characterized. To ascertain presence of this parasite in patients in Laos with eosinophilic meningitis, we performed quantitative PCRs on 36 cerebrospinal fluid samples; 4 positive samples confirmed the parasite’s presence.

Keywords

• Angiostrongylus cantonensis
• eosinophilic meningitis
• meningitis/encephalitis
• parasites
• cerebrospinal fluid
• central nervous system infections