Comparison of Major Immunoglobulins Intrathecal Synthesis Patterns in Ecuadorian and Cuban Patients with Angiostrongyliasis

Abstract

Abstract. Angiostrongylus cantonensis meningitis was first reported in Cuba in 1981, and it was recently reported in South America. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis patterns from Cuba's and Ecuador's patients with angiostrongyliasis; 8 Ecuadorian patients from two different outbreaks and 28 Cuban patients were studied. Simultaneous blood and cerebrospinal fluid simples were taken. Immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, IgG, and albumin were quantified by radial immunodiffusion. Corresponding Reibergrams were applied. A three-Ig pattern was the most frequent in the two groups, but IgM was presented in all Ecuadorian young mature patients; however, in the Cuban children, only 12 of 28 patients had intrathecal IgM, but about 90% had an IgA and IgG synthesis at time of later puncture. This indicates that, with a larger amount of parasites ingested, clinical symptoms are more severe, and a higher frequency of intrathecal IgM synthesis could be observed. This is discussed as a similarity with the intrathecal IgM synthesis in African trypanosomiasis.

Quantitation of intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis – a new empirical formula

“…In a clinical context IgA predominance could be found in rare cases such as neurotuberculosis and brain abscess. Elevated IgM synthesis was shown in neuroborreliosis and CNS lymphoma [31], as well as in some tropical diseases such as African trypanosomiasis [32] and some cases of Angiostrongylus cantonensis eosinophilic meningoencephalitis [33]. Also, in some MS patients isolated IgA and IgM synthesis was observed (Florian Deisenhammer, unpublished data).…”

Central nervous system manifestations of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection

“…Taken together, these observations indicate that eosinophils have a complex role in the disease pathogenesis requiring further studies. Furthermore, the toxicity of worm components, neurotoxins produced by eosinophils, NK cell activation, and the intrathecal synthesis and activation of complement may also contribute to the pathogenesis of neuroangiostrongyliasis (Chen et al, 2014; Dorta-Contreras et al, 2011; Padilla-Docal et al, 2011; Padilla-Docal et al, 2013). …”

First Evidence of Angiostrongyliasis Caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles

“…This leads to dispersion of carrier hosts along with transportation of consumable materials. 6 The geographical distribution of 15 In the Caribbean, the parasite has been found in wild rats in the Greater Antilles in Cuba, 16 Dominican Republic, 17 Haiti, 18 Puerto Rico, 19 Jamaica, 20 and in the Lesser Antilles in Grenada only. 21 Figure 1 depicts reported infections in humans and animal hosts in the Caribbean and surrounding areas to date.…”