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Biomedica : Revista Del Instituto... Jun 2019Introduction: Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a serious public health problem and is widely distributed in the country. When the parasite infects the snails, it becomes... (Review)
Review
Introduction: Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a serious public health problem and is widely distributed in the country. When the parasite infects the snails, it becomes deeply embedded in their interior and accidentally, it can infect people and other mammals. Objective: To establish the geographical distribution of A. cantonensis intermediate hosts (Achatina fulica) and definitive hosts (Rattus spp.) in Ecuador from 2014 to 2017. Materials and methods: We collected 2,908 A. fulica specimens in 16 provinces using the capture method per unit of effort for 30 minutes. We captured 211 hosts of which 20 were Rattus rattus and 191 R. norvegicus. The specimens were transported to the Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública e Investigación in Guayaquil where the larvae L3 were identified and counted in the tissues of the snail, which were then inoculated in laboratory rats to reproduce the life cycle. In the rodents, the brains, hearts, lung arteries and lungs were dissected, and the parasites were identified by taxonomic morphology. Results: Of the snails harvested, 441 were positive for A. cantonensis (15.2%) and a total of 6,166 L3 larvae were found; 77 (36.5%) specimens of Rattus spp., were infected with A. cantonensis and a total of 220 parasites (L4-L5 larvae and adult worms) were collected. Conclusions: We confirmed the presence of A. cantonensis in several provinces, which ratifies the endemic nature of this zoonosis in the national territory. Rattus spp. specimens constitute the definitive hosts of the parasite, which together with the presence of intermediate hosts, indicates the zoonotic potential of this parasitic infection.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Animals, Wild; Disease Reservoirs; Disease Vectors; Ecuador; Female; Geography, Medical; Introduced Species; Larva; Life Cycle Stages; Rats; Rodent Diseases; Snails; Species Specificity; Strongylida Infections; Zoonoses
PubMed: 31529823
DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.v39i3.4387 -
Parasitology Feb 2021
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Humans; Meningoencephalitis; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 33315004
DOI: 10.1017/S003118202000236X -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Jun 2022Neural angiostrongyliasis is an emerging zoonosis caused by the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis. In humans, infection with this nematode often results in...
Neural angiostrongyliasis is an emerging zoonosis caused by the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis. In humans, infection with this nematode often results in eosinophilic meningitis and other severe disorders of the central nervous system. Europe was deemed a nonendemic region until 2018, when A. cantonensis worms were detected on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, Spain, a tourism hotspot. Since that time, a sentinel surveillance system and a molecular approach have been used to follow the invasion path of the rat lungworm on the island. A. cantonensis worms have been found in animals from 8 locations on the island over 3 consecutive years. Our preliminary results show a recognizable pattern of clinical signs in infected hedgehogs and a single mitochondrial haplotype circulating in Mallorca. We present strong evidence confirming that the rat lungworm has successfully established and colonized an island in Europe and discuss observations and possible strategies for its early detection across continental Europe.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Meningitis; Nematoda; Rats; Spain; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 35608603
DOI: 10.3201/eid2806.212344 -
International Journal of Infectious... 1999In the past 50 years, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis, has spread from Southeast Asia to the South Pacific, Africa, India,... (Review)
Review
In the past 50 years, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis, has spread from Southeast Asia to the South Pacific, Africa, India, the Caribbean, and recently, to Australia and North America, mainly carried by cargo ship rats. Humans are accidental, "dead-end" hosts infected by eating larvae from snails, slugs, or contaminated, uncooked vegetables. These larvae migrate to the brain, spinal cord, and nerve roots, causing eosinophilia in both spinal fluid and peripheral blood. Infected patients present with severe headache, vomiting, paresthesias, weakness, and occasionally visual disturbances and extraocular muscular paralysis. Most patients have a full recovery; however, heavy infections can lead to chronic, disabling disease and even death. There is no proven treatment for this disease. In the authors' experience, corticosteroids have been helpful in severe cases to relieve intracranial pressure as well as neurologic symptoms due to inflammatory responses to migrating and eventually dying worms.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Diagnosis, Differential; Eosinophilia; Humans; Meningitis; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 10460929
DOI: 10.1016/s1201-9712(99)90039-5 -
ACS Chemical Neuroscience Oct 2017Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the rat lungworm, is a dangerous invasive species that is the agent of a potentially fatal globally emerging infectious disease. Humans are... (Review)
Review
Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the rat lungworm, is a dangerous invasive species that is the agent of a potentially fatal globally emerging infectious disease. Humans are infected most commonly by ingestion, deliberately or inadvertently, of the parasite larvae in their intermediate snail hosts. The larvae make their way to the brain where they can cause severe neurological damage before eventually dying. Symptoms of the disease are diverse, making it difficult to diagnose. Treatment is primarily with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, while treatment with anthelmintics to kill the worms remains controversial. There have been almost 3000 cases globally, the majority in southern China, but the parasite is spreading and now occurs much more widely. In the USA, almost all cases have been in Hawaii, but the parasite is also present in southeastern states. As the climate warms, this tropical/subtropical parasite is likely to spread further.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Humans; Rats; Snails; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 28902487
DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.7b00335 -
European Journal of Clinical... Apr 2012Angiostrongylus cantonensis was first discovered in 1935 and has become an important emerging pathogen causing human angiostrongyliasis. Major outbreaks of human... (Review)
Review
Angiostrongylus cantonensis was first discovered in 1935 and has become an important emerging pathogen causing human angiostrongyliasis. Major outbreaks of human angiostrongyliasis have been reported in endemic regions. Thousands of cases of human angiostrongyliasis have been documented worldwide. A. cantonensis has spread from its traditional endemic regions of the Pacific islands and Southeast Asia to the American continent including the USA, Caribbean islands and Brazil. Humans acquire A. cantonensis by consumption of raw or undercooked intermediate snail hosts or paratenic hosts. The main clinical manifestations of human angiostrongyliasis are eosinophilic meningitis and ocular angiostrongyliasis. The treatment of this disease includes supportive treatment, corticosteroid therapy, and combined therapy with corticosteroids and anthelminthics. The most effective method for prevention is to persuade people not to eat raw or undercooked intermediate and paratenic hosts.
Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Anthelmintics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Disease Outbreaks; Endemic Diseases; Feeding Behavior; Foodborne Diseases; Global Health; Humans; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 21725905
DOI: 10.1007/s10096-011-1328-5 -
Parasitology Aug 2016Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a metastrongyloid nematode found widely in the Asia-Pacific region, and the aetiological agent of angiostrongyliasis; a disease... (Review)
Review
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a metastrongyloid nematode found widely in the Asia-Pacific region, and the aetiological agent of angiostrongyliasis; a disease characterized by eosinophilic meningitis. Rattus rats are definitive hosts of A. cantonensis, while intermediate hosts include terrestrial and aquatic molluscs. Humans are dead-end hosts that usually become infected upon ingestion of infected molluscs. A presumptive diagnosis is often made based on clinical features, a history of mollusc consumption, eosinophilic pleocytosis in cerebral spinal fluid, and advanced imaging such as computed tomography. Serological tests are available for angiostrongyliasis, though many tests are still under development. While there is no treatment consensus, therapy often includes a combination of anthelmintics and corticosteroids. Angiostrongyliasis is relatively rare, but is often associated with morbidity and sometimes mortality. Recent reports suggest the parasites' range is increasing, leading to fatalities in regions previously considered Angiostrongylus-free, and sometimes, delayed diagnosis in newly invaded regions. Increased awareness of angiostrongyliasis would facilitate rapid diagnosis and improved clinical outcomes. This paper summarizes knowledge on the parasites' life cycle, clinical aspects and epidemiology. The molecular biology of Angiostrongylus spp. is also discussed. Attention is paid to the significance of angiostrongyliasis in Australia, given the recent severe cases reported from the Sydney region.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Humans; Life Cycle Stages; Rats; Snails; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 27225800
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182016000652 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases May 2022A red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra) from a zoo in Louisiana, USA, was euthanized for worsening paresis. Brain and spinal cord histology identified eosinophilic...
A red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra) from a zoo in Louisiana, USA, was euthanized for worsening paresis. Brain and spinal cord histology identified eosinophilic meningoencephalomyelitis with intralesional adult Angiostrongylus sp. nematodes. PCR and sequencing confirmed A. cantonensis infection, indicating this parasite constitutes an emerging zoonosis in the southeastern United States.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Lemuridae; Louisiana; Strongylida Infections; Zoonoses
PubMed: 35447053
DOI: 10.3201/eid2805.212287 -
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Jan 2019Live worm in anterior chamber is a rare finding. We hereby report a case of ocular Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the third case...
Live worm in anterior chamber is a rare finding. We hereby report a case of ocular Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the third case report from India. A 70-year-old female presented with the complaints of watering and foreign body sensations in right eye since 2 months. On examination, a translucent worm of approximately 15 mm length was found freely moving in anterior chamber. Patient underwent surgical removal of live worm, which was identified as A. cantonensis. Educating people regarding importance of hygiene is important for prevention of worm infestation.
Topics: Aged; Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Anterior Chamber; Eye Infections, Parasitic; Female; Humans; Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 30574932
DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_843_18 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2022This integrative literature review study analyzes the findings of the last 5 years of the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis. It is known that this nematode is found... (Review)
Review
This integrative literature review study analyzes the findings of the last 5 years of the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis. It is known that this nematode is found in the pulmonary arteries of rats, where it remains as a definitive host. From mice, the cycle spreads to animals, such as snails, which in contact with humans can trigger the disease. In humans, the parasite causes several neurological, abdominal manifestations and mainly meningitis. Based on the review of studies, its epidemiology shows worldwide distribution, although there are endemic cases for this parasite, such as asian countries. Laboratory findings generally showed altered CSF with turbidity, increased protein and eosinophilia, which generated meningeal signs in the patient, moreover MRI exams showed multiple alterations. Rare findings of the nematode in the eyeball, lung and signs of peritoneal inflammation were reported, which requires further studies to understand the whole pathophysiology. Finally, conservative treatment based on anthelmintics and anti-inflammatories brought good responses, although there are reports of deaths, which demonstrates the importance in the prevention and therapy of this disease.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Anthelmintics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Humans; Mice; Rats; Snails; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 36169525
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.262109