Search
Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm)
Infestation with the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
Epidemiology:
- most cases result from consumption of raw or undercooked snails or slugs that had ingested the parasite larvae in rat feces
- this can occur from eating raw lettuce contaminated with snails or slugs that are inadvertantly eaten
- 6 cases of human infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis on Maui & three on the Big Island in 2017 [1]
Pathology:
- in humans, a brain parasite
Laboratory:
- Angiostrongylus cantonensis serology
General
Angiostrongylus
Properties
KINGDOM: animal
PHYLUM: helminth
References
- Orciari Herman A, Fairchild DG, Di Francesco L.
9 Human Cases of Rat Lungworm Disease Confirmed in Hawaii
Physician's First Watch, April 12, 2017
David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, Editor-in-Chief
Massachusetts Medical Society
http://www.jwatch.org
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
Angiostrongylus cantonensis FAQs
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/angiostrongylus/gen_info/faqs.html