Variation in Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in definitive and intermediate hosts in Hawaii, a global hotspot of rat lungworm disease

Abstract Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm) is a tropical and subtropical parasitic nematode, with infections in humans causing angiostrongyliasis (rat lungworm disease), characterized by eosinophilic meningitis. Hawaii has been identified as a global hotspot of infection, with recent reports of high infection rates in humans, as well as rat definitive and snail intermediate hosts. This study investigated variation in A. cantonensis infection, both prevalence and intensity, in wild populations of two species of rats (Rattus exulans and R. rattus) and one species of snail (Parmarion martensi). An overall infection prevalence of 86.2% was observed in P. martensi and 63.8% in rats, with R. exulans (77.4%) greater than R. rattus (47.6%). We found infections to vary with environmental and host-related factors. Body mass was a strong predictor of infection in all three species, with different patterns seen between sexes and species of rats. Infection prevalence and intensity for R. exulans were high in May 2018 and again in February 2019, but generally lower and more variable during the intervening months. Information on sources of variability of infection in wild host populations will be a crucial component in predicting the effectiveness of future disease surveillance or targeted management strategies.

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Rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Chen, 1935) (Nematoda: Strongylida: Metastrongylida)

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis-in1007-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 (9) ◽

Author(s):

John Capinera ◽

Heather S. Walden

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Angiostrongylus Cantonensis ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

Fact Sheet ◽

The World ◽

Rat Lungworm

Like many pest and disease problems, rat lungworm has been slowly spreading around the world. First described by Chen from rats in China, the medical significance of this parasite was overlooked until 1944 when it was found infecting humans in Taiwan. Even then, because the report was published in Japanese, its importance remained largely unknown. In 1955, Mackerras and Sandars found this nematode among rats in Brisbane, Australia, and described its life cycle, including the importance of its molluscan intermediate hosts. This 4-page fact sheet was written by John Capinera and Heather S. Walden and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, September 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1007

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Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm) in Florida, USA: current status

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182020001286 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Heather D. S. Walden ◽

John Slapcinsky ◽

Justin Rosenberg ◽

James F. X. Wellehan

Keyword(s):

Case Reports ◽

The State ◽

Angiostrongylus Cantonensis ◽

Current Status ◽

Intermediate Hosts ◽

New Host ◽

The North ◽

Rat Lungworm ◽

Surrounding Areas ◽

Ruffed Lemur

Abstract Angiostrongylus cantonensis has been found in Florida, USA, from the panhandle in the north to Miami and surrounding areas in the southern parts of the state, in both definitive and intermediate hosts in a limited studies completed in 2015. Additional studies have identified this parasite in a variety of intermediate hosts, both native and non-native gastropod species, with new host species recorded. Many areas in Florida with higher A. cantonensis prevalence were those with a high human population density, which suggests it is a matter of time before human infections occur in Florida. Case reports in the state currently involve non-human primates and include a gibbon and orangutan in Miami. Here, we report the current status of A. cantonensis in the state, as well as the infection in a capuchin monkey and presumptive infection in a red ruffed lemur in Gainesville, Florida.

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Species composition and host range of fruit-infesting flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in northern Ghana

International Journal of Tropical Insect Science ◽

10.1017/s1742758415000090 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 35 (03) ◽

pp. 137-151 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

K.B. Badii ◽

M.K. Billah ◽

K. Afreh-Nuamah ◽

D. Obeng-Ofori

Keyword(s):

Host Range ◽

Plant Species ◽

Host Plants ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Fruit Flies ◽

Northern Ghana ◽

Accurate Information ◽

Wild Host ◽

Fruit Samples

An important aspect of fruit fly management is accurate information on the species and their host spectrum. Studies were conducted between October 2011 and September 2013 to determine the host range and species diversity of pest fruit flies in the northern savannah ecology of Ghana. Fruit samples from 80 potential host plants (wild and cultivated) were collected and incubated for fly emergence; 65 (81.5%) of the plant species were positive to fruit flies. From records in Africa, 11 plant species were reported to be new hosts to the African invader fly,Bactrocera invadens(Drew, Tsuruta and White, 2005). This study documented the first records ofDacus ciliatus(Loew) andTrirhithrum nigerrimum(Bezzi) in northern Ghana although both species have been previously reported in other parts of the country. Infestation byB. invadenswas higher in the cultivated fruits;Ceratitis cosyradominated in most wild fruits. Cucurbitaceae were mainly infested by three species ofDacusandBactroceracucurbitae, a specialized cucurbit feeder. Among the commercial fruit species, the highest infestations were observed in mango, tomato, sweet pepper and watermelon, whereas marula plum, soursop, tropical almond, sycamore fig, African peach, shea nut, persimmon, icacina and albarillo dominated the wild host flora. The widespread availability of host plants and the incidence of diverse fly species in the ecology call for particular attention to their impact on commercial fruits and the development of sustainable management strategies against these economically important pests in Ghana.

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BIOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE RAT LUNGWORM, ANGIOSTRONGYLUS CANTONENSIS, AND ITS RELATION TO EOSINOPHILIC MENINGOENCEPHALITIS AND OTHER NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS OF MAN AND ANIMALS

Proceedings of the First International Congress of Parasitology ◽

10.1016/b978-0-08-011427-9.50179-7 ◽

1999 ◽

pp. 826-828

Author(s):

J.E. ALICATA

Keyword(s):

Neurological Disorders ◽

Angiostrongylus Cantonensis ◽

Rat Lungworm ◽

Eosinophilic Meningoencephalitis

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First records of molluscs naturally infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) in Sergipe State, Northeastern Brazil, including new global records of natural intermediate hosts

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo ◽

10.1590/s1678-9946201860051 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 60 (0) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jucicleide Ramos-de-Souza ◽

Silvana Carvalho Thiengo ◽

Monica Ammon Fernandez ◽

Suzete Rodrigues Gomes ◽

Jéssica Corrêa-Antônio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Angiostrongylus Cantonensis ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Intermediate Hosts

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Identifying and Managing Malnutrition Stemming from Different Causes

Peritoneal Dialysis International ◽

10.1177/089686080702702s41 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 27 (2_suppl) ◽

pp. 239-244

Author(s):

Sung Hee Chung ◽

Peter Stenvinkel ◽

Bengt Lindholm ◽

Avesani Carla Maria

Keyword(s):

Strong Predictor ◽

Protein Energy Malnutrition ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Nutrition Status ◽

Protein Energy ◽

Persistent Inflammation ◽

Wide Range ◽

Single Method ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Pharmacologic Agents

Protein–energy malnutrition (PEM) is highly prevalent among peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and is a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality. A wide range of factors can lead to PEM and associated wasting (PEM/W) in PD patients, but persistent inflammation and the presence of diabetes have been identified as the two main reasons. An important body of literature has been reporting studies of methods suitable for detecting malnutrition in its early phase so that appropriate intervention can be provided. Although assessment of nutrition status has been substantially improved, no definitive single method of assessing nutrition status has been decided. Rather, several different markers of nutrition should be evaluated together. Because of the complexity of treating malnutrition in PD patients, nontraditional strategies such as appetite stimulants, anti-inflammatory diets, and anti-inflammatory pharmacologic agents are recommended to be combined with more traditional forms of nutritional support, so as to provide a better chance of recovery. The present review briefly discusses the causes of PEM/W, the methods most commonly used to identify the condition, and the new management strategies available.

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In-water observations highlight the effects of provisioning on whale shark behaviour at the world's largest whale shark tourism destination

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.200392 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 200392

Author(s):

Christine Legaspi ◽

Joni Miranda ◽

Jessica Labaja ◽

Sally Snow ◽

Alessandro Ponzo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Strong Predictor ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Code Of Conduct ◽

Mixed Effects ◽

Tourism Industry ◽

Mixed Effects Models ◽

Whale Shark ◽

Whale Sharks ◽

External Stimuli ◽

The Relationship

The whale shark is the world's largest fish that forms predictable aggregations across its range, many of which support tourism industries. The largest non-captive provisioned whale shark destination globally is at Oslob, Philippines, where more than 500 000 tourists visit yearly. There, the sharks are provisioned daily, year-round, allowing the human–shark interaction in nearshore waters. We used in-water behavioural observations of whale sharks between 2015 and 2017 to understand the relationship between external stimuli and shark behaviour, whether frequency of visits at the site can act as a predictor of behaviour, and the tourist compliance to the code of conduct. Mixed effects models revealed that the number of previous visits at the site was a strong predictor of whale shark behaviour, and that provisioned sharks were less likely to exhibit avoidance. Compliance was poor, with 93% of surveys having people less than 2 m from the animal, highlighting overcrowding of whale sharks at Oslob. Given the behavioural implications to whale sharks highlighted here and the local community's reliance on the tourism industry, it is imperative to improve management strategies to increase tourist compliance and strive for sustainable tourism practices.

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