Eosinophilic Meningoencephalitis in Cuba, Caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis

Abstract

Five cases of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis presumed to be caused by the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, are reported from localities in or near Havana, Cuba. The first typical case occurred in 1973. Lungworms identified as A. cantonensis were found in rats from the same localities. The clinical picture in the Cuban cases, as in cases from other countries, is that of a self-limiting disease without apparent sequelae.