Case 132. Angiostrongylosis (5 y-o F)
　 　 　 　 　
　 　 Autopsied brain from a Formosan child who ate a giant African land snail (Achatina fulica) 　 　
　 　 　 　 　
　 　
Key words : Angiostrongylus cantonensis, eosinophilic meningitis
 　 　
　 　 　 　 　
　 　
zoonosis
 　 　
　 　 　
　
　 　 　
Nematode larva migrans into the meningeal space provokes eosinophilic meningitis (HE). Cut surfaces of the third stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis are observed. 　 In this case, the helminth further migrated into the pulmonary artery, in which an immature female adult containing the gut and immature uterus is observed (HE). No egg formation is discerned.
　 　 　
　
　 　 　
Angiostrongylus cantonensis experimentally infected in mouse brain
Cut surface of the third stage larva located in the subarachnoid space (HE).　A pair of lateral chords, the muscle layer, the gut containing brownish-colored pigment and immature gonad are recognized histologically (HE). Eosinophilia is associated.		 　 Angiostrongylus cantonensis experimentally infected in mouse brain
The 1:500 diluted mouse serum is reactive to the gut and muscle cells of the larva embedded in paraffin (indirect immunoperoxidase).　The final host of Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the rat. The infestation is also transmitted by accidentally taking or even touching the slug or snail.