Asian lungworm

Definition

Asian lungworm, or Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is a parasitic nematode that primarily affects the lungs and central nervous system of mammals, particularly rodents and humans. This parasite has significant public health implications, as it can cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans, and is often transmitted through consumption of contaminated food or water, particularly raw or undercooked snails and slugs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Asian lungworm is primarily found in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands but has also been reported in other regions due to global travel and trade.
2. Infection in humans often occurs after ingesting infected intermediate hosts like snails or slugs, highlighting the importance of food safety and proper cooking methods.
3. Symptoms of infection can include headache, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, and even neurological complications depending on the severity of the case.
4. The life cycle of Asian lungworm involves definitive hosts such as rats, where adult worms live in the pulmonary arteries, producing larvae that are expelled through feces.
5. Preventative measures against Asian lungworm infection focus on avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked snails and slugs and maintaining proper hygiene when handling potentially contaminated food.

Review Questions

• How does the life cycle of Asian lungworm involve both definitive and intermediate hosts?
  • The life cycle of Asian lungworm involves definitive hosts like rodents where adult worms reside in the pulmonary arteries. These adult worms produce larvae that are excreted through the host's feces. Intermediate hosts such as snails and slugs then consume these larvae, where they develop into infectious forms that can be transmitted to new hosts through ingestion. Understanding this life cycle is key to preventing transmission and infection.
• Discuss the public health implications of Asian lungworm infections in humans and their connection to food safety practices.
  • Asian lungworm infections pose significant public health risks due to their ability to cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans. This condition can lead to severe neurological complications if not treated promptly. The primary route of transmission is through consumption of contaminated snails or slugs, underscoring the critical need for food safety practices. Ensuring that these potential hosts are properly cooked before consumption can significantly reduce infection rates.
• Evaluate the factors contributing to the spread of Asian lungworm beyond its traditional geographic range and their potential impact on global health.
  • The spread of Asian lungworm beyond its traditional geographic range is influenced by factors such as increased global travel, trade, and changes in environmental conditions that favor the survival of its intermediate hosts. As people move into new areas or import foods from different regions, they may inadvertently introduce this parasite into new environments. This geographical expansion poses a growing threat to global health by increasing the risk of outbreaks in non-endemic regions and highlights the need for surveillance and public awareness regarding this emerging infectious disease.

Related terms

Eosinophilic meningitis: A rare but serious condition characterized by an increased number of eosinophils in the cerebrospinal fluid, often caused by parasitic infections like those from Asian lungworm.

Parasitic nematodes: A class of roundworms that live as parasites in various hosts, including humans, animals, and plants, with some causing significant diseases.

Intermediate host: An organism that harbors the larval or juvenile stages of a parasite, which are necessary for the completion of the parasite's life cycle.