2. Academic Validation
  3. Angiostrongylus costaricensis infection in Martinique, Lesser Antilles, from 2000 to 2017

Angiostrongylus costaricensis infection in Martinique, Lesser Antilles, from 2000 to 2017

  • Parasite. 2018;25:22. doi: 10.1051/parasite/2018022.
Céline Dard 1,  Duc Nguyen 2,  Charline Miossec 3,  Katia de Meuron 4,  Dorothée Harrois 5,  Loïc Epelboin 6,  André Cabié 7,  Nicole Desbois-Nogard 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, CHU Grenoble Alpes, 38700 Grenoble, France - Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB), INSERM U1209 - CNRS UMR5309, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38700 Grenoble, France.
  • 2 Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales et Médecine Polyvalente, CHU de la Martinique, 97200 Fort-de-France, France - EA3593, Ecosystèmes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, Université de la Guyane, 97306 Cayenne, France.
  • 3 Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie-Sérologies Bactériennes et Parasitaires, CHU de la Martinique, 97200 Fort-de-France, France.
  • 4 Service de Pédiatrie, Maison de la Femme de la Mère et de l'Enfant, 97200 Fort-de-France, France.
  • 5 Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, Centre Hospitalier de Basse-Terre, 97109 Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, France.
  • 6 EA3593, Ecosystèmes Amazoniens et Pathologie Tropicale, Université de la Guyane, 97306 Cayenne, France - Unité des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, 97306 Cayenne, France.
  • 7 Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales et Médecine Polyvalente, CHU de la Martinique, 97200 Fort-de-France, France - CIC Antilles-Guyane, INSERM 1424, Centre Hospitalier Andrée Rosemon, 97306 Cayenne, France - Université des Antilles, EA4537, 97200 Fort-de-France, France.
PMID: 29633710 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2018022
Abstract

Human abdominal angiostrongyliasis (HAA) is a parasitic disease caused by the accidental ingestion of the nematode Angiostrongylus costaricensis in its larval form. Human Infection can lead to severe ischemic and inflammatory intestinal lesions, sometimes complicated by life-threatening ileal perforations. Only one case had been reported in Martinique, an Island in the French Antilles, in 1988. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of patients diagnosed with abdominal angiostrongyliasis at the University Hospital of Martinique between 2000 and 2017. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the incidence and perform a descriptive analysis of the clinical, biological, radiological, and histopathological features of HAA in Martinique. Two confirmed cases and two probable cases were identified in patients aged from 1 to 21 years during the 18-year period, with an estimated incidence of 0.2 cases per year (0.003 case/year/100.000 inhabitants (IC95% = 0.00-0.05)). All patients presented with abdominal pain associated with high blood eosinophilia (median: 7.24 G/L [min 4.25; max 52.28 G/L]). Two developed ileal perforation and were managed by surgery, with diagnostic confirmation based on histopathological findings on surgical specimens. The other two cases were probable, with serum specimens reactive to Angiostrongylus sp. antigen in the absence of surgery. All cases improved without sequelae. The description of this case series highlights the need to increase awareness of this life-threatening disease in the medical community and to facilitate access to specific diagnostic tools in Martinique. Environmental and epidemiological studies are needed to broaden our knowledge of the burden of this disease.

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