Which parasite is associated with eosinophilic meningoencephalitis?

Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis is primarily associated with the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis, commonly known as the rat lungworm. This nematode infects rats, which are the definitive hosts, and can be transmitted to humans through the ingestion of contaminated snails, slugs, or even contaminated vegetables. Once in the human body, the larvae can migrate to the central nervous system, leading to an inflammatory response characterized by an elevated eosinophil count in the cerebrospinal fluid. This condition manifests as eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, which can present with symptoms such as headache, neck stiffness, and neurological deficits.

The other options, while they involve parasitic infections, are not commonly linked to eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. For example, Necator americanus and Ancylostoma braziliense are hookworms that predominantly cause gastrointestinal symptoms and do not typically enter the central nervous system. Strongyloides stercoralis, another significant parasitic infection, can cause a range of symptoms but is not known to cause eosinophilic meningoencephalitis specifically. Thus, Angiostrongylus cantonensis is recognized as the key parasite associated with this condition