1/126. Lagochilascaris minor in a patient from the Colombian amazon: a case report. A chronic infection (10 years) by Lagochilascaris minor is described in a woman from the amazon region of colombia. This is the third case of infection by this parasite that has been described so far in colombia, and only the first one in a person coming from the Colombian Amazon region. ( info) |
2/126. Diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis. BACKGROUND: Diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN) is an inflammatory disorder of the retina thought to be caused by a motile worm. It initially presents with unilateral recurring crops of gray-white retinal lesions and mild to severe inflammation. Over a period of months, diffuse retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes, arteriolar attenuation, and optic atrophy will develop. In approximately 25% of cases, a worm is visualized during the eye examination. Laser treatment to kill the worm is the only reliable way to halt progression of this disease. methods: The following case report presents a 9-year-old girl with unilateral vision loss. RESULTS: Clinical observation and several blood tests to rule out systemic diseases resulted in a diagnosis of DUSN. Although a worm was not visualized, laser treatment of its suspected location resulted in recovery of some vision. CONCLUSIONS: DUSN is often diagnosed by clinical presentation alone, because a worm may not be visualized. An appropriate initial work-up and timely initiation of laser treatment are essential to preservation of vision. ( info) |
3/126. Diffuse bilateral subacute neuroretinitis: first patient with documented nematodes in both eyes. OBJECTIVE: To describe the first patient with documented evidence of diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN) in both eyes. methods: A 10-year-old healthy Brazilian girl was first seen with signs of late-stage DUSN in both eyes. A careful search for a nematode was performed in each eye. RESULTS: A motile 550- to 660-microm nematode was found in the inferotemporal retina of the left eye. A similar-sized motile nematode was found in the superotemporal retina of the right eye. Both nematodes were treated with argon green laser applications with bilateral improvement of visual function. CONCLUSION: Although most patients with DUSN do not develop the disease in the fellow eye, this case demonstrates that DUSN can occasionally affect both eyes. ( info) |
4/126. Haycocknema perplexum n. g., n. sp. (nematoda: Robertdollfusidae): an intramyofibre parasite in man. Haycocknema perplexum n. g., n. sp. (nematoda: Robertdollfusidae) is described from a man in tasmania, australia. adult male and female nematodes and larvae were recovered from myofibres following biopsy of the right vastus lateralis muscle and were associated with a polymyositis. H. perplexum is distinguished from all other genera of the Muspiceoidea by the presence of a large amorphous "cell" supporting a granule-filled, flask- or gourd-shaped reservoir in the rectal region of mature and gravid female nematodes, often containing one or more large, refractile, thick-rimmed "globules" on the external surface of the reservoir, by the small number of ova/eggs/larvae developing in each uterus, by the minute, weakly-sclerotised, almost tubular spicule, by the presence of a pair of ampulla-shaped glands posteriorly and by the presence of lateral bacillary bands comprised of a single row of pore cells spaced irregularly and extending posteriorly to the region of the vulva in immature females. ( info) |
5/126. Meningo-encephalomyelitis due to the saprophagous nematode, Micronema deletrix. A five-year-old boy succumbed 24 days following an unusual farm accident in which considerable manure was deposited in multiple lacerations. death was due to an extensive meningo-encephalomyelitis caused by a nematode that is ordinarily saprophagous. ( info) |
6/126. Eosinophilic meningitis (angiostrongylosis): a probable case. A probable case of eosinophilic meningitis is described. This report is thought to be the first of a case of this disorder diagnosed in new south wales, although infection probably occurred in queensland. The life cycle of the parasite angiostrongylus cantonensis is outlined briefly and the clinical manifestations of this disease are discussed. Treatment with thiabendazole seems to have been beneficial to this patient. ( info) |
7/126. A case of expectoration of gnathostoma spinigerum in thailand. A living adult male gnathostoma spinigerum was coughed up by a 33-year-old Thai married woman. The expectorated worm may have emerged from the pharynx. Pork is a possible source of infection in this case. The significant symptoms of her illness were migratory joint pain, chest pain, palpitation, and itchy throat, progressively. She has never had swellings. ( info) |
8/126. conjunctivitis due to Thelazia californiensis. A patient with chronic conjunctivitis was found to have a parasitic nematode infection of the conjunctiva. The parasite was found within the cul-de-sac of the conjunctiva, entirely motile. The treatment of the conjunctivitis was simple removal of the organism, and periodic follow up. ( info) |
9/126. Identifying live nematodes in diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis by using the scanning laser ophthalmoscope. OBJECTIVE: To describe use of the scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) to identify live nematodes in patients with diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis. methods: Infrared, red, and blue illumination (780, 633, and 488 nm, respectively) in an SLO were used to image and evaluate functional retinal status in patients with late-stage diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis. An examination to identify live nematodes was performed in the affected eyes. RESULTS: Using blue illumination, the ocular fundus appeared dark and provided a high-contrast background for the white image of the worm. The red laser was used to perform red-on-red perimetry. We also used perimetry stimulus to stimulate the worm's movement and pinpoint its location. We precisely defined the relation between the fixation point and the worm to plan accurate laser treatment. The infrared laser is safe and comfortable for prolonged examination. Using the SLO, several physicians simultaneously visualized the ocular fundus. Video output from the SLO provided temporal information, excellent for enhancing detection of worms, which was displayed dynamically on video. CONCLUSIONS: Although examination with a fundus contact lens by skilled ophthalmologists is the method of choice, the SLO provides a new examination modality with distinct advantages for identifying live worms in young patients with diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis. ( info) |
10/126. Multifocal electroretinography response after laser photocoagulation of a subretinal nematode. PURPOSE: To describe multifocal electroretinography findings before and after laser photocoagulation of a subretinal nematode in diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis. METHOD: Observational case report. A 45-year-old woman with left eye inflammation, subretinal tracts superior and temporal to the fovea, and a subretinal coiled mobile parasite was treated with laser photocoagulation to destroy the nematode. Multifocal electroretinography was performed before and after laser photocoagulation. RESULTS: In the left eye, multifocal electroretinography before treatment showed decreased foveal response density and increased parafoveal and perifoveal waveform amplitudes. Two months after laser photocoagulation, multifocal electroretinography showed full recovery of normal findings and the visual acuity remained 20/20. CONCLUSION: Multifocal electroretinography appears to be useful in evaluating the retinal findings after photocoagulation of a parasite associated with diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis. ( info) |