This integrative literature review study analyzes the findings of the last 5 years of the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis. It is known that this nematode is found in the pulmonary arteries of rats, where it remains as a definitive host. From mice, the cycle spreads to animals, such as snails, which in contact with humans can trigger the disease. In humans, the parasite causes several neurological, abdominal manifestations and mainly meningitis. Based on the review of studies, its epidemiology shows worldwide distribution, although there are endemic cases for this parasite, such as asian countries. Laboratory findings generally showed altered CSF with turbidity, increased protein and eosinophilia, which generated meningeal signs in the patient, moreover MRI exams showed multiple alterations. Rare findings of the nematode in the eyeball, lung and signs of peritoneal inflammation were reported, which requires further studies to understand the whole pathophysiology. Finally, conservative treatment based on anthelmintics and anti-inflammatories brought good responses, although there are reports of deaths, which demonstrates the importance in the prevention and therapy of this disease.
This integrative literature review study aimed to analyze the clinical and laboratory findings, in addition to the treatment of case reports of CADASIL from the last 5 years. The database used in the search was PubMed, with the following descriptors: “CADASIL”, “case report”, in addition to the use of the Boolean operator (AND). The final sample was 25 baseline studies. Although CADASIL is caused by a genetic mutation, there was a case in which COVID-19 infection was the beginner of the manifestations of a patient with a previous mutation. In the exams, most have shown damages in MRI, with confluent hypertensive foci, microinfarcts, stenosis and even brain atrophy. Cases were also recorded in which the disease presented parkinsonian syndrome, symptoms of atypical paraplegia, mood alterations and transient ischemic attack. In the study it was perceptive the manifestations in families with this genetic disease. The symptons can be manifested in hetero or homozygous, and may cause mental disorders, headache and stroke. The clinical variety shows its complexity, requiring studies to understand all its pathophysiology.There is no cure for this disease, so its treatments were mainly to control the symptoms.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.