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Journal of Current Ophthalmology 2023To report the clinical course and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of ocular angiostrongyliasis.
PURPOSE
To report the clinical course and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of ocular angiostrongyliasis.
METHODS
A 36-year-old female with a history of ingesting regular raw freshwater shrimp and other raw food presented with acute unilateral painless visual loss in the right eye. Her right eye's best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1 ft of the count finger. Fundus examination showed vitritis, generalized retinal pigment epithelial alteration, and a moving roundworm in the vitreous at the 6 o'clock position. Macular OCT of her right eye showed thinning of the retina, loss of the external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone, subretinal hyper-reflective material clumping, and hyper-reflective foci at the superficial choroidal layer.
RESULTS
The patient was administered oral and topical prednisolone. The roundworm, identified as , was wholly extracted from the vitreous using a 23G sclerotomy port and pars plana vitrectomy. The final BCVA was 1 ft of the count finger.
CONCLUSION
This case report describes an infrequent presentation and illustrates the clinical course and OCT findings of ocular angiostrongyliasis.
PubMed: 37680295
DOI: 10.4103/joco.joco_137_22 -
International Journal of Antimicrobial... Nov 2023Angiostrongylus cantonensis, also known as rat lungworm, is an important food-borne zoonotic parasite that causes severe neuropathological damage and symptoms, including...
Angiostrongylus cantonensis, also known as rat lungworm, is an important food-borne zoonotic parasite that causes severe neuropathological damage and symptoms, including eosinophilic meningitis and eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, in humans. At present, the therapeutic strategy for cerebral angiostrongyliasis remains controversial. Benzaldehyde, an important bioactive constituent of Gastrodia elata (Tianma), reduces oxidative stress by inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of benzaldehyde in combination with albendazole on angiostrongyliasis in animal models. First, the data from body weight monitoring and behavioural analyses demonstrated that benzaldehyde improved body weight and cognitive function changes after A. cantonensis infection. Next, blood‒brain barrier breakdown and pathological changes were reduced after benzaldehyde and albendazole treatment in BALB/c mice infected with A. cantonensis. Subsequently, four RNA-seq datasets were established from mouse brains that had undergone different treatments: normal, infection, infection + albendazole, and infection + albendazole + 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde groups. Ultimately, benzaldehyde was found to regulate cell apoptosis, oxidative stress and Sonic Hedgehog signalling in mouse brains infected with A. cantonensis. This study evaluated the therapeutic effect of benzaldehyde on angiostrongyliasis, and provided a potential therapeutic strategy for human angiostrongyliasis in the clinical setting. Moreover, the molecular mechanism of benzaldehyde in mouse brains infected with A. cantonensis was elucidated.
Topics: Mice; Rats; Humans; Animals; Albendazole; Benzaldehydes; Hedgehog Proteins; Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Brain Injuries; Body Weight; Brain
PubMed: 37666435
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106963 -
One Health (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Dec 2023is the main etiological agent of eosinophilic meningitis, a disease that often leads to severe neurological manifestations in mammals and birds. In recent years, the...
is the main etiological agent of eosinophilic meningitis, a disease that often leads to severe neurological manifestations in mammals and birds. In recent years, the prevalence of this zoonotic nematode has dramatically increased as it expands into new territories beyond its native range in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Basin.Its arrival to Europe, the last continent to be invaded, has raised many questions concerning the parasite's life cycle, particularly in the Mediterranean region, where it is now endemic. This study aims to collect evidence about intermediate hosts (snail and slug species) involved in the transmission of the in Mallorca We have conducted a systematic surveillance of gastropods within 2 km radius areas, surrounding the specific locations where infected hedgehogs were found. We employed a sequence-based detection approach that included a species-specific PCR amplification followed by DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer I (ITS-1). This conservative approach was essential to avoid cross reactions with the numerous metastrongylid species known to be circulating in Mallorca. Overall, we collected and identified 398 gastropods belonging to 17 species, of which 11% tested positive for These gastropods were collected from touristic settlements to agricultural lands. Five gastropod species: , , had been previously incriminated as intermediate hosts, while 6 species: and are newly recorded hosts. The findings of this study have important epidemiological implications, and further measures are discussed to prevent neuroangiostrongylosis cases.
PubMed: 37638211
DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100610 -
Parasitology Sep 2023The rat lungworm is a metastrongyloid nematode that causes neurological disorders in its accidental hosts, including humans. This invasive pathogen is native to...
The rat lungworm is a metastrongyloid nematode that causes neurological disorders in its accidental hosts, including humans. This invasive pathogen is native to Southeast Asia and adjacent regions and is gradually expanding its distribution to tropical and subtropical areas with new foci discovered near temperate regions. The parasite has a complex life cycle with a range of gastropods serving as intermediate hosts. A broad spectrum of poikilotherm vertebrates and invertebrates can serve as paratenic hosts. Since it has already been demonstrated that other, non-zoonotic metastrongyloids can survive in their intermediate hosts during the winter, the aim of our study was to evaluate the survival of third-stage larvae in experimentally infected slugs () kept at 4.5–7°C for 60 days. Third-stage larvae of survived the period of low temperature and remained capable of infecting definitive hosts (laboratory rats) afterwards, even though their numbers dropped significantly. These results suggest that further spread to higher latitudes or altitudes is possible in areas with sufficient abundance of definitive hosts, since low winter temperatures are not necessarily an obstacle to the spread of the parasite.
Topics: Humans; Rats; Animals; Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Snails; Larva; Life Cycle Stages; Seasons; Strongylida Infections; Angiostrongylus
PubMed: 37614202
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182023000781 -
Parasites & Vectors Aug 2023Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm) is the main pathogen responsible for eosinophilic meningitis in humans. One of its intermediate snail hosts, Achatina fulica,...
BACKGROUND
Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm) is the main pathogen responsible for eosinophilic meningitis in humans. One of its intermediate snail hosts, Achatina fulica, was already present in many countries around the world before it appeared in the West Indies in the late 1980s. In the French territories in the Caribbean and northern South America, the first cases of human neuroangiostrongyliasis were reported in Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana in 2002, 2013 and 2017, respectively. In order to better characterize angiostrongyliasis in Guadeloupe, particularly its geographical origin and route of introduction, we undertook molecular characterization of adult worms of Angiostrongylus cantonensis and its intermediate host Achatina fulica.
METHODS
Genomic DNA of adult Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Achatina fulica was extracted and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the mitochondrial genes cytochrome B and C for A. cantonensis and 16S ribosomal RNA for A. fulica. The PCR products were sequenced and studied by phylogenetic analysis.
RESULTS
Cytochrome B and cytochrome C molecular markers indicate a monophyletic lineage of A. cantonensis adult worms in Guadeloupe. Two sequences of A. fulica were identified.
CONCLUSIONS
These results confirm the recent introduction of both Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Achatina fulica into Guadeloupe. Achatina fulica in Guadeloupe shares a common origin with those in Barbados and New Caledonia, while Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Guadeloupe shares a common origin with those in Brazil, Hawaii and Japan.
Topics: Adult; Rats; Humans; Animals; Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Phylogeny; Guadeloupe; Cytochromes b; Snails; Brazil; Strongylida Infections; Angiostrongylus
PubMed: 37563598
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05872-4 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023The nematode has been reported worldwide. However, some basic questions remain unanswered about . in Ecuador: (1) Was the invasion of . in Ecuador unique, or did it...
The nematode has been reported worldwide. However, some basic questions remain unanswered about . in Ecuador: (1) Was the invasion of . in Ecuador unique, or did it occur in different waves? (2) Was this invasion as recent as historical records suggest? (3) Did this invasion come from other regions of South America or elsewhere? To address these issues, we assessed the genetic diversity of MT-CO1 gene sequences from isolates obtained in 11 of Ecuador's 24 provinces. Our Bayesian inference phylogenetic tree recovered . as a well-supported monophyletic group. All 11 sequences from Ecuador were identical and identified as AC17a. The haplotype AC17a, found in Ecuador and the USA, formed a cluster with AC17b (USA), AC13 (Thailand), and AC12a-b (Cambodia). Notably, all the samples obtained in Ecuadorian provinces' different geographic and climatic regions had no genetic difference. Despite the lack of genetic information on . in Latin America, except in Brazil, our finding differs from previous studies by its absence of gene diversity in Ecuador. We concluded that the invasion of . in Ecuador may have occurred: (1) as a one-time event, (2) recently, and (3) from Asia via the USA. Further research should include samples from countries neighboring Ecuador to delve deeper into this.
PubMed: 37513725
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070878 -
Parasites & Vectors Jul 2023Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila) is a nematode with a worldwide geographical distribution. It causes a disease called lung capillariosis by affecting the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila) is a nematode with a worldwide geographical distribution. It causes a disease called lung capillariosis by affecting the respiratory tract of wild and domestic animals, and has also occasionally been described in humans. Despite steady increases in knowledge of the morphology of this neglected parasite, many aspects are still poorly understood. Epidemiological data regarding, for example, geographic distribution, range of hosts, clinical relevance and the actual zoonotic potential of this nematode are scarce and incomplete.
METHODS
This article is a systematic review based on the screening of three databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Science Direct) to identify eligible studies published from 1973 to the end of 2022.
RESULTS
From a total of 606 studies describing the occurrence of E. aerophilus, 141 articles from 38 countries worldwide were included in this meta-analysis, all of which presented results obtained mainly with flotation and necropsy. Due to the occurrence of E. aerophilus in many different species and different matrices (lungs and faeces), we decided to conduct the meta-analysis separately for each species with a given matrix. This systematic review confirmed the status of the Red fox as the main reservoir and main transmitter of E. aerophilus (average prevalence of 43% in faeces and 49% in lungs) and provided evidence of a higher prevalence of E. aerophilus in wild animals in comparison to domestic animals, such as dogs (3% in faeces) and cats (2% in faeces and 8% in lungs). Previous studies have investigated many host-related factors (age, sex, environmental/living conditions) in relation to the prevalence of E. aerophilus, but they show wide variations and no simple relationship has been demonstrates. Furthermore, mixed infections with other pulmonary nematodes, such as Crenosoma vulpis and/or Angiostrongylus vasorum, are reported very frequently, which greatly complicates the diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review focused on identifying data gaps and promoting future research directions in this area. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review that evaluates and summarizes existing knowledge on the occurrence and prevalence of E. aerophilus in wild and domestic animals originating from different geographical locations worldwide.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Cats; Humans; Nematode Infections; Animals, Domestic; Animals, Wild; Lung; Metastrongyloidea; Foxes
PubMed: 37475031
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05830-0 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2023Lungworms are a major cause of feline respiratory disease, frequently underdiagnosed due to its presentation of symptoms being similar to that of other feline...
Lungworms are a major cause of feline respiratory disease, frequently underdiagnosed due to its presentation of symptoms being similar to that of other feline respiratory pathologies. Epidemiological data about these nematodes are scarce in the Canary Islands (Spain). Given the veterinary importance of these parasites, the aim of the present study was to improve the current epidemiological knowledge of the lungworm species that could be affecting feral cats in this archipelago. A total of 29 feral cats from La Gomera were analyzed. The respiratory tract of each animal was inspected and the nematodes obtained were identified by morphological keys and molecular techniques. Metastrongylids were detected to be widely distributed throughout the island with a prevalence of 55.2% (16/29). The species , , and were identified. Also, coinfections with and were detected in two animals. The present study shows a high diversity of lungworms in feral cats in La Gomera, with the first report of and for the Canary Archipelago and the first citation of in cats for Spain. The wide distribution and high prevalence found in this study indicate a high risk of exposure to pulmonary infections in cats.
PubMed: 37443966
DOI: 10.3390/ani13132168 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023Human angiostrongylosis is an emerging zoonosis caused by the larvae of three species of metastrongyloid nematodes of the genus with (Chen, 1935) being dominant across... (Review)
Review
Human angiostrongylosis is an emerging zoonosis caused by the larvae of three species of metastrongyloid nematodes of the genus with (Chen, 1935) being dominant across the world. Its obligatory heteroxenous life cycle includes rats as definitive hosts, mollusks as intermediate hosts, and amphibians and reptiles as paratenic hosts. In humans, the infection manifests as eosinophilic meningitis (AEM) or ocular form. Since there is no comprehensive study on the disease in the Indian subcontinent, our study aims at the growing incidence of angiostrongylosis in humans, alongside its clinical course and possible causes. A systematic literature search revealed 28 reports of 45 human cases from 1966 to 2022; eosinophilic meningitis accounted for 33 cases (75.5%), 12 cases were reported as ocular, 1 case was combined, and 1 case was unspecified. The presumed source of infection was reported in 5 cases only. Importantly, 22 AEM patients reported a history of eating raw monitor lizard ( spp.) tissues in the past. As apex predators, monitor lizards accumulate high numbers of L3 responsible for acute illness in humans. For ocular cases, the source was not identified. Most cases were diagnosed based on nematode findings and clinical pathology (primarily eosinophilia in the cerebrospinal fluid). Only two cases were confirmed to be , one by immunoblot and the other by q-PCR. Cases of angiostrongylosis have been reported in Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Telangana, and West Bengal. With a population of more than 1.4 billion, India is one of the least studied areas for . It is likely that many cases remain undetected/unreported. Since most cases have been reported from the state of Kerala, further research may focus on this region. Gastropods, amphibians, and reptiles are commonly consumed in India; however, typical preparation methods involve cooking, which kills the nematode larvae. In addition to studying rodent and mollusk hosts, monitor lizards can be used as effective sentinels. Sequence data are urgently needed to answer the question of the identity of -like metastrongylid nematodes isolated from all types of hosts. DNA-based diagnostic methods such as q-PCR and LAMP should be included in clinical diagnosis of suspected cases and in studies of genetic diversity and species identity of nematodes tentatively identified as .
PubMed: 37375541
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060851 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023Angiostrongyliasis (Rat Lungworm disease) is an emerging parasitic disease caused by the ingestion of gastropods infected with the neurotropic nematode . The reduction...
Angiostrongyliasis (Rat Lungworm disease) is an emerging parasitic disease caused by the ingestion of gastropods infected with the neurotropic nematode . The reduction of crop infestation with infected slug carriers may vary widely by protection method. We explored the application of barriers with valve mechanisms, whereby selective directional forces caused a greater number of slugs to exit than enter the protected plot, leading to decreased slug population densities at a steady state. Using field data, we constructed predictive models to estimate slug population densities at a steady state in protected plots with (1) no valve effect, (2) a valve effect, (3) no valve effect with a single breach of the barrier, (4) a valve effect with a single breach of the barrier, (5) a valve effect with a constant breach of the barrier, and (6) a repelling effect. For all scenarios, plots protected using a barrier with a valve effect had consistently lower slug densities at a steady state. Our findings support the use of barriers with valve mechanisms under different conditions, and potentially in combination with other interventions to reduce the contamination of crops by slug carriers of . Improving barriers extends beyond disease mitigation to economic and cultural impacts on the local farmer and consumer communities.
PubMed: 37375537
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060847