Transient global amnesia associated with toxocariasis and secondary hypereosinophilia.
10.4168/aard.2016.4.3.217
- Author:
Young Eun AHN
1
;
Seongman BAE
;
Yeong Jin JEONG
;
So Young PARK
;
Bomi SHIN
;
Tae Bum KIM
;
You Sook CHO
;
Hee Bom MOON
;
Hyouk Soo KWON
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Toxocariasis;
Eosinophilia;
Cerebral infarction;
Amnesia
- MeSH:
Adult;
Amnesia;
Amnesia, Transient Global*;
Antibodies;
Cerebral Infarction;
Diagnosis, Differential;
Eating;
Emergency Service, Hospital;
Eosinophilia;
Eosinophils;
Humans;
Immunoglobulin E;
Immunoglobulin G;
Infarction;
Korea;
Liver;
Male;
Neurologic Manifestations;
Omasum;
Serologic Tests;
Toxocara canis;
Toxocariasis*
- From:Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Disease
2016;4(3):217-220
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Toxocariasis is an important cause of secondary hypereosinophilia in Korea. Here, we describe a rare case of toxocariasis presenting as transient global amnesia due to secondary hypereosinophilia. A 44-year-old male visited the Emergency Department (ED) for transient global amnesia. He ate raw cow liver and omasum 2 weeks before the ED visit. The initial peripheral blood eosinophil count was 15,250/µL and serologic test for serum specific IgG antibodies to Toxocara canis larval antigen was positive. Radiologic studies revealed multiple small embolic infarctions of brainwithout cardioembolic sources or vascular abnormalities. He was treated with systemic corticosteroid, and neither neurologic deficit nor motor deficit was left. In our current case, the patient have a history of frequently eating raw cow liver and omasum, and his total IgE level was extremely high (>5,000 IU/mL). Thus, the patient was diagnosed as having toxocariasis and secondary hypereosinophilia. Toxocariasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with eosinophilia and atypical neurologic symptoms, such as transient amnesia.
