All of the following result in damage to the CNS:
Direct mechanical damage to neural tissue from the worms motion
Toxic byproducts such as nitrogenous waste
Antigens released by dead and living parasites

Eosinophilic meningitis
Although the clinical disease caused by Angiostrongylus invasion into the CNS is commonly referred to as "eosinophilic meningitis", the actual pathophysiology is of a meningoencephalitis with invasion not just of the meninges, or superficial lining of the brain, but also deeper brain tissue. Initial invasion through the lining of the brain, the meninges, may cause a typical inflammation of the meninges and a classic meningitis picture of headache, stiff neck, and often fever. The parasites subsequently invade deeper into the brain tissue, causing specific localizing neurological symptoms depending on where in the brain parenchyma they migrate. Neurologic findings and symptoms wax and wane as initial damage is done by the physical in-migration of the worms and secondary damage is done by the inflammatory response to the presence of dead and dying worms. This inflammation can lead in the short term to paralysis, bladder dysfunction, visual disturbance, and coma and in the long term to permanent nerve damage, mental retardation, nerve damage, permanent brain damage, or death.Eosinophilic meningitis is commonly defined by the increased number of eosinophils in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In most cases, eosinophil levels rise to 10 or more eosinophils per μl in the CSF, accounting for at least 10% of the total CSF leukocyte (white blood cell) count.
Efficacy was evaluated in a subpopulation of 97 patients who received four or more prior lines of therapy and were refractory to at least one proteasome inhibitor, one immunomodulatory agent, and a CD38-directed antibody.The application for melphalan flufenamide was granted priority review and orphan drug designations. Society and culture
Legal status
On 23 June 2022, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive opinion, recommending the granting of a marketing authorisation for the medicinal product Pepaxti, intended for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The applicant for this medicinal product is Oncopeptides AB. Names
Melphalan flufenamide is the international nonproprietary name (INN). References
External links
"Melphalan flufenamide". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Clinical trial number NCT02963493 for "A Study of Melphalan Flufenamide (Melflufen) in Combination With Dexamethasone in Relapsed Refractory Multiple Myeloma Patients (HORIZON)" at ClinicalTrials.gov
"FDA alerts patients and health care professionals about clinical trial results showing an increased risk of death associated with Pepaxto (melphalan flufenamide)". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 23 August 2021.