Sections View Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Annotate Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Supplementary Content +++ Key Features ++ Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis or encephalopathy Ocular larva migrans Human infections with Baylisascaris procyonis, the raccoon roundworm, are increasingly recognized, particularly in children Young age, pica, and exposure to raccoon feces represent the main risk factors +++ Clinical Findings ++ Most are asymptomatic Severe encephalitis (neural larva migrans) and endophthalmitis (ocular larva migrans) occur Symptoms typically begin 2–4 weeks after inoculation CNS infections characteristically present as acute, rapidly progressive encephalitis with eosinophilic pleocytosis of the CSF (varies from 4% to 68% eosinophils in mild pleocytosis) +++ Diagnosis ++ Observation of larvae on examination of tissue biopsies or by serology (of serum or CSF) +++ Treatment ++ Antihelminthic drugs have not been shown to have any beneficial effect Nevertheless, albendazole (20–40 mg/kg/d for 1–4 weeks) has been used to treat most cases, together with anti-inflammatory drugs Complete resolution of symptoms has not been achieved thus far Immediate prophylactic treatment with albendazole (25 mg/kg daily for 20 days) should be considered for those with known ingestion of raccoon feces Your Access profile is currently affiliated with '[InstitutionA]' and is in the process of switching affiliations to '[InstitutionB]'. Please click ‘Continue’ to continue the affiliation switch, otherwise click ‘Cancel’ to cancel signing in. Get Free Access Through Your Institution Learn how to see if your library subscribes to McGraw Hill Medical products. Subscribe: Institutional or Individual Sign In Username Error: Please enter User Name Password Error: Please enter Password Forgot Username? Forgot Password? Sign in via OpenAthens Sign in via Shibboleth