<i>Angiostrongylus cantonensis</i> in urban populations of terrestrial gastropods and rats in an impoverished region of Brazil



Souza, Fabio N, Aguiar Santos, Maisa, Almeida Alves, Daniele, Cecilia Vieira de Melo, Leyva, Jesse Goncalves da Mota, Dan, Cristina Pertile, Arsinoe, Gava, Ricardo, Luiz Silva Pinto, Pedro, Eyre, Max T, Graco Zeppelini, Caio
et al (show 6 more authors) (2021) <i>Angiostrongylus cantonensis</i> in urban populations of terrestrial gastropods and rats in an impoverished region of Brazil. PARASITOLOGY, 148 (8). pp. 994-1002.

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Abstract

The nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the most common cause of neuroangiostrongyliasis (manifested as eosinophilic meningitis) in humans. Gastropod molluscs are used as intermediate hosts and rats of various species are definitive hosts of this parasite. In this study, we identified several environmental factors associated with the presence and abundance of terrestrial gastropods in an impoverished urban region in Brazil. We also found that body condition, age and presence of co-infection with other parasite species in urban Rattus norvegicus, as well as environmental factors were associated with the probability and intensity of A. cantonensis infection. The study area was also found to have a moderate prevalence of the nematode in rodents (33% of 168 individuals). Eight species of molluscs (577 individuals) were identified, four of which were positive for A. cantonensis. Our study indicates that the environmental conditions of poor urban areas (presence of running and standing water, sewage, humidity and accumulated rain and accumulation of construction materials) influenced both the distribution and abundance of terrestrial gastropods, as well as infected rats, contributing to the maintenance of the A. cantonensis transmission cycle in the area. Besides neuroangiostrongyliasis, the presence of these hosts may also contribute to susceptibility to other zoonoses.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Angiostrongyliasis, helminth, one health, public health, Rattus norvegicus, risk factors, slug, snail, zoonoses
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 13 May 2021 14:58
Last Modified: 19 Oct 2023 09:08
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182021000597
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3122589