A-Z Index × Submit A-Z Index × Submit A-Z Index Search Dropdown × Submit Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate Emerging Infectious Disease journal ISSN: 1080-6059 Disclaimer: Early release articles are not considered as final versions. Any changes will be reflected in the online version in the month the article is officially released.
The invasive nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm) can cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans. Once restricted to Southeast Asia, A. cantonensis nematodes are now widespread across the tropics and has been reported in Europe. Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, and the Mediterranean region are emerging hotspots. We surveyed gastropods, rats, and lizards across Tenerife and detected the parasite in all host groups at 2.4%–41.6% prevalence. Using species distribution models, we identified precipitation seasonality as the main driver of habitat suitability; tree cover and climatic variability primarily shaped prevalence patterns. Modeling showed suitable habitats in northeastern Tenerife and several western Canary Islands but limited overlap with areas of dense human population. Multivariate environmental similarity surface analysis comparison with another A. cantonensis hotspot, Hawaii, USA, revealed similar environments across the archipelago, except for the novel northeastern Tenerife area. Although no human infections have been reported, continued vigilance is warranted because A. cantonensis nematodes are established in Tenerife.
Angiostrongylus cantonensis (the rat lungworm) is an invasive parasitic nematode originally endemic to Southeast Asia. Since its original description in China in the 1930s ( 1 ), the species has exhibited a remarkable capacity for global dispersal. Its range has steadily expanded, and A. cantonensis nematodes have been detected on all continents except Antarctica ( 2 ). Recent records suggest that the parasite is approaching or has already established new foci in or near Europe ( 2 – 5 ). The rat lungworm is considered a highly successful invader because of its widespread distribution and the invasive potential of its 2 primary host groups: rats as definitive hosts and gastropods as intermediate hosts. Representatives of those host groups are globally invasive and thrive in a wide range of environments ( 6 – 9 ). The close ecologic association with other successful invaders makes the A. cantonensis nematode a striking example of parallel biologic invasion, whereby the parasite expands its range in tandem with the global spread of its hosts.
The rat lungworm is an ecologically successful invader and zoonotic pathogen. In humans, the parasite is the primary cause of eosinophilic meningitis, which is increasingly recognized as a serious infectious disease known as neuroangiostrongyliasis ( 10 ). Clinical manifestations of A. cantonensis infection range from mild influenza-like symptoms to severe neurologic impairment and, in rare cases, death ( 10 ). In addition to humans, A. cantonensis nematodes can infect a wide range of accidental hosts, including other mammals and birds, in which it can cause neurologic symptoms ( 11 – 14 ).
Despite detection of the parasite in the Mediterranean and Macaronesia, Europe has only had a single reported case of likely autochthonous human neuroangiostrongyliasis, in France ( 15 ). That single case is in stark contrast to other affected regions, such as Southeast Asia, southern China, and the Pacific Islands, where human cases are rela…