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Tropical Biomedicine Dec 2014The rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a food-borne zoonotic parasite, has been recognized as the primary pathogen associated with human eosinophilic meningitis... (Review)
Review
The rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a food-borne zoonotic parasite, has been recognized as the primary pathogen associated with human eosinophilic meningitis or eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. This neurotropic nematode has a definitive rodent host and a molluscan intermediate host. The adult worms live in the pulmonary arteries of rats. Human is a non-permissive, accidental host. Transmission to humans is by eating of infected raw or undercooked snails, poorly cleaned contaminated vegetables or other infected paratenic hosts such as freshwater prawns, crabs, frogs or monitor lizards. Thousands of diagnosed cases of eosinophilic meningitis caused by A. cantonensis have been reported worldwide. Angiostrongyliasis is of increasing public health importance as globalization contributes to the geographical spread and more international travelers encounter the disease. The parasite is on the move. It has spread from its traditional endemic areas of Asia and the Pacific Basin to the American continent including the USA, Brazil and Caribbean islands. Recently, the incidence of human infections has increased rapidly. Most reports of the disease are from Thailand and Taiwan with increasing reports from mainland China. The rapid global spread of the parasite and the emerging occurrence of the infection pose challenges in clinical and laboratory diagnosis, and in epidemiology and basic biology. Enhanced understanding of the epidemiology of angiostrongyliasis, increased public awareness about the risks associated with eating raw or undercooked food, and enhanced food safety measures are needed. Therefore, current knowledge on various aspects of the parasite and the disease it causes, as well as recent epidemiological status together with significant progress in laboratory investigation of A. cantonensis infection, are overviewed to promote understanding and awareness of this emerging neglected disease.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Foodborne Diseases; Global Health; Humans; Incidence; Meningitis; Neglected Diseases; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 25776582
DOI: No ID Found -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Dec 2022To determine the role of rats as potential reservoirs of zoonotic parasites, we examined rats trapped in urban sewers of Valencia, Spain, in 2021. Morphologic and...
To determine the role of rats as potential reservoirs of zoonotic parasites, we examined rats trapped in urban sewers of Valencia, Spain, in 2021. Morphologic and molecular identification and sequencing identified autochthonous Angiostrongylus cantonensis nematodes, the most common cause of human eosinophilic meningitis, in pulmonary arteries of Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus rats.
Topics: Humans; Rats; Animals; Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Spain; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 36418005
DOI: 10.3201/eid2812.220418 -
International Journal For Parasitology.... Aug 2015Twenty-one species of Angiostrongylus plus Angiostrongylus sp. (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) are known currently in wildlife. These occur naturally in rodents, tupaiids,... (Review)
Review
Twenty-one species of Angiostrongylus plus Angiostrongylus sp. (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) are known currently in wildlife. These occur naturally in rodents, tupaiids, mephitids, mustelids, procyonids, felids, and canids, and aberrantly in a range of avian, marsupial and eutherian hosts including humans. Adults inhabit the pulmonary arteries and right atrium, ventricle and vena cava, bronchioles of the lung or arteries of the caecum and mesentery. All species pass first-stage larvae in the faeces of the host and all utilise slugs and/or aquatic or terrestrial snails as intermediate hosts. Gastropods are infected by ingestion or penetration of first-stage larvae; definitive hosts by ingestion of gastropods or gastropod slime. Transmission of at least one species may involve ingestion of paratenic hosts. Five developmental pathways are identified in these life cycles. Thirteen species, including Angiostrongylus sp., are known primarily from the original descriptions suggesting limited geographic distributions. The remaining species are widespread either globally or regionally, and are continuing to spread. Small experimental doses of infective larvae (ca. 20) given to normal or aberrant hosts are tolerated, although generally eliciting a granulomatous histopathological response; large doses (100-500 larvae) often result in clinical signs and/or death. Two species, A. cantonensis and A. costaricensis, are established zoonoses causing neurological and abdominal angiostrongliasis respectively. The zoonotic potential of A. mackerrasae, A. malaysiensis and A. siamensis particularly warrant investigation. Angiostrongylus cantonensis occurs in domestic animals, mammalian and avian wildlife and humans in the metropolitan areas of Brisbane and Sydney, Australia, where it has been suggested that tawny frogmouths and brushtail possums may serve as biosentinels. A major conservation issue is the devastating role A. cantonensis may play around zoos and fauna parks where captive rearing of endangered species programmes may exist and where Rattus spp. are invariably a problem.
PubMed: 25853051
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2015.02.006 -
Parasitology Feb 2021In order to elucidate the infection pathways of third stage larvae (L3) of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, we performed experiments to assess: (i) the shedding of L3 from...
In order to elucidate the infection pathways of third stage larvae (L3) of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, we performed experiments to assess: (i) the shedding of L3 from two species of experimental veronicellid slugs drowned in water and the ratio of emerged larvae, (ii) the transmission of viable L3 from drowned terrestrial gastropods to aquatic snails, and (iii) the transmission of viable L3 between terrestrial snails. Molluscs were experimentally infected by first stage larvae (L1) of A. cantonensis. Significantly more L3 larvae were released from Veronicella cubensis than from Veronicella sloanei. Numerous L3 were observed in the muscular foot, and also in the connective tissue between internal organs. Experimental exposure of P. maculata to L3 of A. cantonensis liberated from other gastropod species led to their infection and the infectivity of larvae after intermediesis was demonstrated by infection of laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus). The transmission of L3 was observed in three out of four experiment replications and L3 were retrieved from 6 out of 24 Subulina octona snails. The infected synanthropic molluscs represent a key component in the epidemiology of human infections by A. cantonensis. Escape of L3 larvae from bodies of dead snails or slugs and their ability to infect further gastropod hosts (intermediesis) represents a public health risk. Thus, control of molluscs living in peri-domestic environment is an essential part of prevention of human infections.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Female; Gastropoda; Larva; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Species Specificity; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 32981541
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182020001857 -
Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Aug 2022Angiostrongylus cantonensis (AC) can cause severe eosinophilic meningitis or encephalitis in non-permissive hosts accompanied by apoptosis and necroptosis of brain...
Angiostrongylus cantonensis (AC) can cause severe eosinophilic meningitis or encephalitis in non-permissive hosts accompanied by apoptosis and necroptosis of brain cells. However, the explicit underlying molecular basis of apoptosis and necroptosis upon AC infection has not yet been elucidated. To determine the specific pathways of apoptosis and necroptosis upon AC infection, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis for gene expression microarray (accession number: GSE159486) of mouse brain infected by AC revealed that TNF-α likely played a central role in the apoptosis and necroptosis in the context of AC infection, which was further confirmed via an in vivo rescue assay after treating with TNF-α inhibitor. The signalling axes involved in apoptosis and necroptosis were investigated via immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. Immunofluorescence was used to identify the specific cells that underwent apoptosis or necroptosis. The results showed that TNF-α induced apoptosis of astrocytes through the RIP1/FADD/Caspase-8 axis and induced necroptosis of neurons by the RIP3/MLKL signalling pathway. In addition, in vitro assay revealed that TNF-α secretion by microglia increased upon LSA stimulation and caused necroptosis of neurons. The present study provided the first evidence that TNF-α was secreted by microglia stimulated by AC infection, which caused cell death via parallel pathways of astrocyte apoptosis (mediated by the RIP1/FADD/caspase-8 axis) and neuron necroptosis (driven by the RIP3/MLKL complex). Our research comprehensively elucidated the mechanism of cell death after AC infection and provided new insight into targeting TNF-α signalling as a therapeutic strategy for CNS injury.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Astrocytes; Caspase 8; Fas-Associated Death Domain Protein; GTPase-Activating Proteins; Mice; Necroptosis; Neurons; Protein Kinases; Strongylida Infections; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 33683530
DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01063-w -
Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Jul 2014Eosinophilic meningitis (EoM) is an acute disease that affects the central nervous system. It is primarily caused by infection with the nematode Angiostrongylus... (Review)
Review
Eosinophilic meningitis (EoM) is an acute disease that affects the central nervous system. It is primarily caused by infection with the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis. This infection was previously restricted to certain Asian countries and the Pacific Islands, but it was first reported in Brazil in 2007. Since then, intermediate and definitive hosts infected with A. cantonensis have been identified within the urban areas of many states in Brazil, including those in the northern, northeastern, southeastern and southern regions. The goals of this review are to draw the attention of the medical community and health centres to the emergence of EoM in Brazil, to compile information about several aspects of the human infection and mode of transmission and to provide a short protocol of procedures for the diagnosis of this disease.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Brazil; Central Nervous System Parasitic Infections; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Eosinophilia; Humans; Meningitis; Snails; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 25075779
DOI: 10.1590/0074-0276140023 -
Hawai'i Journal of Medicine & Public... Jun 2013Human infection with the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is characterized by a vigorous eosinophil response that gives the disease its name, eosinophilic... (Review)
Review
Human infection with the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is characterized by a vigorous eosinophil response that gives the disease its name, eosinophilic meningitis. The actual role eosinophils play, both protective and destructive, in this infectious process is still largely a mystery. Research since 2002 has indicated that eosinophils are a multifaceted granulocyte that contributes to a wide range of physiological and pathological processes depending on their location and activation status. This article suggests an expanded role for eosinophils as both classic antiparasitic effector cells and as immune regulatory cells in eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Eosinophilia; Eosinophils; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Meningitis; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 23901384
DOI: No ID Found -
Biomedical Journal Dec 2021Human cerebral angiostrongyliasis, induced by Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is an emerging disease in many parts of the world. A. cantonensis is also an important...
BACKGROUND
Human cerebral angiostrongyliasis, induced by Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is an emerging disease in many parts of the world. A. cantonensis is also an important causative agent of eosinophilic meningitis and eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans. 3-Hydroxybenzaldehyde (3-HBA) and 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde (4-HBA) have been shown to increase intracellular antioxidant activity, vasculoprotective potency, wound healing, and cell migration. However, the function of 3-HBA and 4-HBA in mouse astrocytes in response to A. cantonensis young adults excretory-secretory products (ESPs) treatment remains unclear.
METHODS
Here, we examined the effect of 3-HBA and 4-HBA by real-time qPCR, western blotting, and cell viability assay in astrocytes after A. cantonensis young adults ESPs treatment. The real-time qPCR, western blotting were employed to detect the expression of apoptosis- and Shh pathway-related molecule. The percentage of cell viability was monitored by CCK-8 assay.
RESULTS
We demonstrated that expression of apoptosis-related molecules was increased in response to A. cantonensis young adults ESPs treatment. However, the cell viability of astrocytes was elevated by treatment with 3-HBA and 4-HBA. Further investigation found that 3-HBA and 4-HBA activate the Shh signaling pathway and inhibit apoptosis-related molecule expression.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings were confirmed using A. cantonensis young adults ESPs to activate apoptosis-related pathways in astrocytes. Moreover, 3-HBA and 4-HBA induced a protective phenotype through regulation of apoptosis in response to A. cantonensis young adults ESPs treatment. Hence, 3-HBA and 4-HBA represent potential therapeutic drugs for the treatment of human angiostrongyliasis.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Astrocytes; Benzaldehydes; Humans; Mice; Strongylida Infections; Young Adult
PubMed: 35300947
DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2020.11.008 -
Annals of Parasitology 2017Parasitic diseases of the central nervous system are associated with high mortality and morbidity. Many human parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba...
Parasitic diseases of the central nervous system are associated with high mortality and morbidity. Many human parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma cruzi, Taenia solium, Echinococcus spp., Toxocara canis, T. cati, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Trichinella spp., during invasion might involve the CNS. Some parasitic infections of the brain are lethal if left untreated (e.g., cerebral malaria – Plasmodium falciparum, primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) – Naegleria fowleri, baylisascariosis – Baylisascaris procyonis, African sleeping sickness – African trypanosomes). These diseases have diverse vectors or intermediate hosts, modes of transmission and endemic regions or geographic distributions. The neurological, cognitive, and mental health problems caused by above parasites are noted mostly in low-income countries; however, sporadic cases also occur in non-endemic areas because of an increase in international travel and immunosuppression caused by therapy or HIV infection. The presence of parasites in the CNS may cause a variety of nerve symptoms, depending on the location and extent of the injury; the most common subjective symptoms include headache, dizziness, and root pain while objective symptoms are epileptic seizures, increased intracranial pressure, sensory disturbances, meningeal syndrome, cerebellar ataxia, and core syndromes. Many early symptoms of CNS invasion are often nonspecific therefore a diagnosis can be difficult. This article presents the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of selected parasitic neuroinfections.
Topics: Antiparasitic Agents; Central Nervous System Parasitic Infections; Helminthiasis; Humans; Protozoan Infections
PubMed: 29385325
DOI: 10.17420/ap6304.111 -
Biomolecules Jan 2022Excretory-secretory products (ESPs) are the main research targets for investigating the hosts and helminths interaction. Parasitic worms can migrate to parasitic sites...
Benzaldehyde Attenuates the Fifth Stage Larval Excretory-Secretory Product of -Induced Injury in Mouse Astrocytes via Regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Oxidative Stress.
Excretory-secretory products (ESPs) are the main research targets for investigating the hosts and helminths interaction. Parasitic worms can migrate to parasitic sites and avoid the host immune response by secreting this product. is an important food-borne zoonotic parasite that causes severe neuropathological damage and symptoms, including eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalitis in humans. Benzaldehydes are organic compounds composed of a benzene ring and formyl substituents. This compound has anti-inflammatory and antioxidation properties. Previous studies showed that 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde (3-HBA) and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4-HBA) can reduce apoptosis in ESP-treated astrocytes. These results on the protective effect underlying benzaldehyde have primarily focused on cell survival. The study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) and oxidative stress in astrocytes in ESP-treated astrocytes and to evaluate the therapeutic consequent of 3-HBA and 4-HBA. First, we initially established the RNA-seq dataset in each group, including normal, ESPs, ESPs + 3-HBA, and ESPs + 4-HBA. We also found that benzaldehyde (3-HBA and 4-HBA) can stimulate astrocytes to express ER stress-related molecules after ESP treatment. The level of oxidative stress could also be decreased in astrocytes by elevating antioxidant activity and reducing ROS generation. These results suggested that benzaldehyde may be a potential therapeutic compound for human angiostrongyliasis to support brain cell survival by inducing the expression levels of ER stress- and oxidative stress-related pathways.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Astrocytes; Benzaldehydes; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Larva; Mice; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 35204678
DOI: 10.3390/biom12020177