Rat Lungworm Disease Research

Angiostrongyliasis, or rat lungworm disease, is a type of disease that affects the spinal cord and the brain in human beings.

Image Credit: Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock.com

Introduction

Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which is a parasitic nematode found in rodents, is the root cause of this disease. Snails and slugs, as well as other animals, serve as mediators of this parasite and when humans consume such animals, or food and/or water that has been contaminated by the larvae of the rat lungworm, they are also vulnerable to getting affected by the disease.

These parasites were first identified in China in 1935. Since the discovery of A. catanonensis in 1944 as the cause of Eosinophilic Meningitis in Taiwan, a considerable amount of research has been done to study this specific parasite.

With the first study on A. catanonensis published in 1955, researchers Mackerass and Sanders determined the life cycle of the parasite in rats. Moreover, both snails and slugs were identified as intermediate hosts. This study also determined the transmission path of the rat lungworm to go through the blood, brain, and lungs of rats.    

Research based in Hawaii

The Hawaii islands, which are a part of the United States of America, are considered to be the most affected area by rat lungworm disease.

In 1961, three researchers including Rosen, Laigret, and Bories conducted a study to determine whether fish carried the parasite that caused eosinophilic meningitis in humans. Since a large number of people living in the Haiwaiin islands during this time were infected with the parasite, these individuals were sampled and often found to consume a diet that was high in raw fish. In fact, patients who showed symptoms of meningitis had a history of having raw snails or prawns within two weeks before presenting with the symptoms. Thus, when this study is combined with the epidemiology and autopsy of the patients’ brains, it proves that A. cantonensis is confirmed that snails, rather than fish, were the primary transmission hosts of this parasite.

In 1965, Joseph E. Alicata conducted a study titled “Biology and Distribution of the Rat Lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, and its Relationship to Eosinophilic Meningoencephalitis and other Neurological Disorders of Man and Animals.” The study described the role of the nematode in the migration, development, and production of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in both humans and other host animals.

In June 2013, a study titled “A Severe Case of Rat Lungworm Disease in Hawaii” was published by Kathleen Howe. This case study described the eosinophilic meningitis experined by a 23-year-old man from the Hawaii islands, and how he recovered from the initial comatose stage until ultimately returning to normal 4 years later.

In July 2015, further research by the University of Hawaii revealed that the Puna district on the Island of Hawaii is the epicenter of rat lungworm disease in the U.S. Susan Jarvi and her research team at the university studied the possibility of detecting parasitic DNA in rat blood as a potential early diagnostic test of the disease in humans.

Understanding Rat Lungworm Disease

Research based in Australia

In Australia, the history of rat lungworm was studied by two researchers, M.J. Mackerras and D.F. Sandars  in 1955. Their research explains the life cycle and development of the parasite from rats to humans. Stage-by-stage, the research clearly marks the entire journey of the parasite, with the exact number of days needed in each stage.

Research based in Thailand

A study of eosinophilic meningitis was conducted over a period of 3 years in Thailand that ended in March 1968. A total of 640 patients with eosinophilic pleocytosis were considered as samples and 484 cases of eosinophilic meningitis were found among them. The symptoms at various stages of the disease were studied and it was determined that neither steroids nor antibiotics had much of an impact on treating the illness.

Research based in China

Between 2006 adn 2007, China conducted the first national survey on A. cantonensis, which involved 160 patients. The research on this group of individuals, which was eventually publishedi in February of 2009, found that two snails were responsible for carrying the rat lungworm—A. fulica and P. canaliculata. These snails were responsible for the outbreak of angiostrongyliasis in the mainland of China, which was previously a rare disease.  

Research based in Brazil

Since 2007, seven cases were reported in Brazil showing infection by A. cantonensis. By 2013, a study titled “Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Rat Lungworm Disease in Brazil” was published on the disease. This study detailed information on two infected specimens of Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus, as well as many species of mollusks, including the giant African land snail from various regions of Brazil.

The study proposes many suggestions for the control and monitoring of hosts, both intermediate and definitive. More specifically, the researchers emphasized the need for creating awareness to the public on disease transmission and prevention.

References

Further Reading

Last Updated: Sep 25, 2022

Afsaneh Khetrapal

Written by

Afsaneh Khetrapal

Afsaneh graduated from Warwick University with a First class honours degree in Biomedical science. During her time here her love for neuroscience and scientific journalism only grew and have now steered her into a career with the journal, Scientific Reports under Springer Nature. Of course, she isn’t always immersed in all things science and literary; her free time involves a lot of oil painting and beach-side walks too.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Khetrapal, Afsaneh. (2022, September 25). Rat Lungworm Disease Research. News-Medical. Retrieved on October 04, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Rat-Lungworm-Disease-Research.aspx.

  • MLA

    Khetrapal, Afsaneh. "Rat Lungworm Disease Research". News-Medical. 04 October 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/health/Rat-Lungworm-Disease-Research.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Khetrapal, Afsaneh. "Rat Lungworm Disease Research". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Rat-Lungworm-Disease-Research.aspx. (accessed October 04, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Khetrapal, Afsaneh. 2022. Rat Lungworm Disease Research. News-Medical, viewed 04 October 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/health/Rat-Lungworm-Disease-Research.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.