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Levels of infection with the lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis in terrestrial snails from Thailand, with Cryptozona siamensis as a new intermediate host

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2016

A. Vitta ,
W. Polsut ,
C. Fukruksa ,
T. Yimthin ,
A. Thanwisai  and
P. Dekumyoy
A. Vitta*
Affiliation:
1Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science 2Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology (CEMB) 3Center of Excellence for Biodiversity, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand
W. Polsut
Affiliation:
1Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science
C. Fukruksa
Affiliation:
1Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science
T. Yimthin
Affiliation:
1Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science
A. Thanwisai
Affiliation:
1Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science 2Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology (CEMB) 3Center of Excellence for Biodiversity, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand
P. Dekumyoy
Affiliation:
4Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
*
*E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is primarily considered an emerging infectious agent of eosinophilic meningitis or meningoencephalitis with a worldwide distribution. Rodents and snails are important invasive hosts for transmission and expansion of A. cantonensis. The objective of this study was to investigate infection levels of A. cantonensis in snails, the most important natural intermediate host. Our study location was Mueang Kamphaeng Phet district, Kamphaeng Phet Province, and was undertaken between October and December 2012. A total of 2228 freshwater and terrestrial snails were collected, comprising 1119 Filopaludina spp., 409 Pomacea caniculata, 275 Achatina fulica and 425 Cryptozona siamensis. Angiostrongylus larvae were isolated by artificial digestion methods following Baermann's techniques. A low prevalence and intensity of A. cantonensis were observed in A. fulica, while higher numbers were found in C. siamensis. None of the Filopaludina spp. and Pomacea caniculata were infected with A. cantonensis. Molecular characterization was performed by analysing the 264 bp of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). Three COI sequences of Angiostrongylus were identical to A. cantonensis with 91–99% identity. Cryptozona siamensis has not previously been recorded as an intermediate host for A. cantonensis in Thailand. The infection of A. cantonensis identified in the natural intermediate hosts is new and important information to assist in the prevention and control of human angiostrongyliasis.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 90 , Issue 6 , November 2016 , pp. 737 - 741
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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