Findings in eosinophilic meningoencephalitis due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis

Abstract

Introduction. Angiostrongylus cantonensis eosinophilic meningoencephalitis affects Cuba and the occidental hemisphere. The aim of this paper is to describe the principal findings for the knowledge of this disease, mainly in Cuba. Methods. The research compiled the results of the last 15 years about the neuroimmunological response, the complement system against the parasite, the intratecal complement activation, the neuroimmunological diagnosis and some epidemiological findings in Cuba and Ecuador. Results. Intrathecal synthesis patterns for IgG subclasses and IgE, C3c and C4 and the intrathecal activation of the synthesis patterns and the role of sICAM-1were described for the first time. Patients with neurological chronic damage in Cuba and the first Cubans with MBL selective immunodeficiency were also described. Intrathecal immunoglobulins patterns of the first Ecuadorean patients were different than the ones of the Cubans. Different intrathecal synthesis patterns indicates different Angiostrongylus cantonensis strains. Meteorological variables that favors the incidence of the disease was reported and the neurological damage in an adult associated to the African giant snail was also reported. The first bibliometric study about the disease in Cuba and in America was performed. Concluding, this disease is endemic, seasonal and the increment of the incidence occurred after the introduction of the African giant snail due of its spread and aggressiveness against man and the environment with a defined pattern that favors its diagnosis.