STUDIES ON EOSINOPHILIC MENINGITIS

The migration of third-stage Angiotirongylut cantonensisto the central nervous system was followed in time and place in rats and mice. Larvae passed first through the liver, then through lungs, and then entered the general circulation. It appeared that the larvae selectively left the circulatory system when they happened by chance to be carried to the central nervous system. Most were found in the brain within 48 hours after ingestion. In rats, larvae which first reached the spinal cord apparently migrated subsequently to the brain. In heavy infections a large proportion of young adult A.cantonensismigrating from the brain to the heart of rats were found in or on the spinal cord. In comparing the susceptibility of male and female mice, it was found that more A. cantonensisdeveloped in the males, and that they reached a larger size and produced more disease. Chickens and pigs were not suitable transport hosts for A. cantonensis.A very small proportion of larvae fed were recovered in a viable state, and none infective for rats were detected 24 or more hours after exposure. A. cantonensisdid not complete its development in dogs and mongooses. WildRattut rattusand Rattus exulanswere as susceptible to infection with A cantonensisas laboratory-reared albino Rattvs norvegicus.