Severe hemorrhagic meningoencephalitis due to angiostrongylus cantonensis among young children in Sydney, Australia

Abstract

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide. We describe 2 cases among young children from Sydney, Australia, where locally acquired infection of children has not been reported previously. Both cases manifested as severe hemorrhagic meningoencephalitis, one resulting in death. Angiostrongyliasis must be considered in acute neurological presentations occurring among individuals who live in endemic areas. © 2013 The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.