![]() Once larva migrans is established, there is no proven therapy for B procyonis infection. 9,10Įach of the children reported recently in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report failed to respond noticeably to albendazole. This is reported from areas bordering the Pacific Ocean 8 as well as in travelers to the Caribbean and elsewhere. ![]() Usually, however, eosinophilic meningitis is due to infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a parasite obtained by eating raw snails. Eosinophilic meningitis can be found with some tumors and following some surgical procedures. 7ĬSF pleocytosis with eosinophilia is uncommon. 4 Pica has also been linked to intestinal parasite infections in children in Jamaica, 5 Kenya, 6 and Guinea. Especially when it involves pet feces, pica is socially bothersome and can facilitate the transmission of diseases such as toxocariasis 3 and toxoplasmosis. Pica (geophagia), as noted by the 2 cases reported in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, usually occurs in children with iron deficiency anemia or neurodevelopmental compromise. In the gastrointestinal tract, larvae emerge from the eggs and migrate to cause neural larva migrans or, less commonly, ocular or visceral larva migrans. Infection in a variety of birds and mammals (including pet rabbits 2 and humans) occurs with ingestion of parasite egg-contaminated soil for humans, this is a particular problem in children with pica. 1 Eggs in raccoon feces become infective 2-4 weeks after defecation and can remain viable for years. The boy remained comatose for a year and then died.ī procyonis is a roundworm that infects more than two thirds of raccoons in many parts of the United States. Brain biopsy, blood serology, and CSF antibody testing, as well as analysis of sand box soil in the yard where the boy had played, were all positive for B procyonis. Eosinophilia was noted in peripheral blood (15% of 15,900 white cells per mm 3) and spinal fluid (37% of 19 white cells per mm 3). He became comatose following 2 days of low-grade fever and incoordination. The child survived but has profound neurologic compromise and requires continuous nursing care.Ī 17-year-old boy with developmental disabilities and geophagia regularly played in a yard at his group home for handicapped adolescents. Blood and CSF antibody testing were positive for antibodies to Baylisascaris procyonis as was subsequent soil testing for ova in the park where the child had played. ![]() Two and a half weeks later, he developed low-grade fever, lethargy, and ataxia with eosinophilia in his blood (28% of 21,000 white cells per mm 3) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, 32% of 80 white cells per mm 3). 2002 50:1153-1155.Ī 2-year-old boy with iron deficiency anemia and pica was noted to have dirt on his mouth while playing in a suburban Chicago park. Source: Raccoon roundworm encephalitis-Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles, California, 2000. Synopsis: Exposure to and possible ingestion of soil contaminated by raccoon feces was associated with eosinophilic meningitis and severe neurologic consequences in 2 children.
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