Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm)

Introduction

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

Pathology

• in humans, a brain parasite

Laboratory

• Angiostrongylus cantonensis serology

More general terms

• Angiostrongylus