Reversible Encephalopathy Caused by Reactive Hypereosinophilia due
to Toxocariasis

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 32(4); 2014 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2014;32(4): 317-319.

개회충증에 동반된 반응과다호산구증가증에 의한 가역뇌병증

강미리, 임선영 음시원 배종석 김우경 송홍기 이주헌

한림대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Reversible Encephalopathy Caused by Reactive Hypereosinophilia due to Toxocariasis

Mi-Ri Kang

Department of Neurology, Hallym Neurological Institute, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

A 69-year-old male admitted to the psychological department due to delusion. One week later, he developed pneumonia and deep drowsy mental status. Despite improvement of pneumonia, his mental status got worse and he was referred to neurological department. The complete blood count tests showed repeated hypereosinophilia. The serologic tests revealed toxocariasis. He was treated with steroid and albendazole and his mental state rapidly improved. Toxocariasis is a common cause of reactive hypereosinophilia, which may be an underestimated etiology of reversible encephalopathy. Key Words: Encephalopathy, Hypereosinophilia, Toxocariasis