Angiostrongylus spp. in the Americas: geographical and chronological distribution of definitive hosts versus disease reports

VALENTE, ROMINA; DIAZ, JULIA I; NAVONE, GRACIELA T; NAVONE, GRACIELA T; ROBLES, MARIA DEL ROSARIO; ROBLES, MARIA DEL ROSARIO; VALENTE, ROMINA; DIAZ, JULIA I

MEMóRIAS DO INSTITUTO OSWALDO CRUZ.

FUNDACO OSWALDO CRUZ

Lugar: San Pablo; Año: 2018 vol. 113 p. 143 - 152

0074-0276

BACKGROUND Angiostrongyliasis is an infection caused by nematode worms of the genus Angiostrongylus. The adult wormsinhabit the pulmonary arteries, heart, bronchioles of the lung, or mesenteric arteries of the caecum of definitive host. Of atotal of 23 species of Angiostrongylus cited worldwide, only nine were registered in the American Continent. Two species, A.cantonensis and A. costaricensis, are considered zoonoses when the larvae accidentally parasitise man.OBJECTIVES In the present study, geographical and chronological distribution of definitive hosts of Angiostrongylus in theAmericas is analysed in order to observe their relationship with disease reports. Moreover, the role of different definitive hostsas sentinels and dispersers of infective stages is discussed.METHODS The study area includes the Americas. First records of Angiostrongylus spp. in definitive or accidental hosts werecompiled from the literature. Data were included in tables and figures and were matched to geographic information systems (GIS).FINDINGS Most geographical records of Angiostrongylus spp. both for definitive and accidental hosts belong to tropical areas,mainly equatorial zone. In relation to those species of human health importance, as A. cantonensis and A. costaricensis, mostdisease cases indicate a coincidence between the finding of definitive host and disease record. However, in some geographicsite there are gaps between report of definitive host and disease record. In many areas, human populations have invaded naturalenvironments and their socioeconomic conditions do not allow adequate medical care.MAIN CONCLUSIONS Consequently, many cases for angiostrongyliasis could have gone unreported or unrecognised throughouthistory and in the nowadays. Moreover, the population expansion and the climatic changes invite to make broader and morecomplete range of observation on the species that involve possible epidemiological risks. This paper integrates and shows thecurrent distribution of Angiostrongylus species in America, being this information very relevant for establishing prevention,monitoring and contingency strategies in the region.