Severe and fatal central nervous system disease in humans caused by Baylisascaris procyonis, the common roundworm of raccoons: a review of current literature

Matthew E Wise; Frank J Sorvillo; Shira C Shafir; Lawrence R Ash; O George Berlin

doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2004.12.005

Severe and fatal central nervous system disease in humans caused by Baylisascaris procyonis, the common roundworm of raccoons: a review of current literature

Microbes Infect. 2005 Feb;7(2):317-23. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2004.12.005. Epub 2005 Jan 8.

Authors

Matthew E Wise¹, Frank J Sorvillo, Shira C Shafir, Lawrence R Ash, O George Berlin

Affiliation

¹ Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health, Center for Health Sciences, Room 41-297, 650 Charles E. Young Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA. mew01997@ucla.edu

PMID: 15715975
DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2004.12.005

Abstract

Baylisascaris procyonis, a parasitic infection of raccoons, causes severe neurologic disease in humans when infective eggs from raccoon feces are ingested. Definitive diagnosis is challenging, but can be made by isolation of larvae in brain biopsy or exclusion of other potential causes of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. Prevention efforts are critical due to the lack of effective treatment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Ascaridida Infections / diagnosis*
Ascaridida Infections / physiopathology
Ascaridoidea*
Central Nervous System Helminthiasis / diagnosis*
Central Nervous System Helminthiasis / physiopathology
Humans
Raccoons / parasitology*
Severity of Illness Index
Species Specificity