Achatina fulica infected by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Manaus, brazilian amazon region, and the risk of transmission of eosinophilic meningitis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5216/rpt.v52i4.77199

Abstract

Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which causes the zoonosis Eosinophilic Meningitis (EM), has become increasingly widespread in Brazil. Terrestrial mollusks, especially the exotic giant African snail Achatina fulica, have being found naturally infected with this nematode besides some few freshwater species. In this study, we collected several terrestrial and one freshwater mollusks from five different localities in the city of Manaus, in the Brazilian Amazon Region. One hundred and eighteen specimens from nine different species were obtained. In all, 49 specimens were analyzed parasitologically, including A. fulica (42 specimens), Bulimulus sp. (one specimen) and the freshwater species Pomacea dolioides (five specimens). The other specimens died or were represented by shells. Specimens of A. fulica from one locality were found naturally infected with A. cantonensis, which was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial MT-CO1 gene sequences. A recent case of EM reported in the Amazon region, in the city of Macapá, reinforces the need of effective surveillance of areas in which the parasite is known to occur, as well as raising the awareness of local populations at risk of infection. We highlight both the role of A. fulica in the transmission of A. cantonensis and the need for effective measures to control the spreading of EM in Brazil. 

KEY WORDS: Mollusk; neural angiostrongyliasis; neurotropic parasite; intermediate host

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Jucicleide Ramos-de-Souza, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

2. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Referência Nacional para Esquistossomose – Malacologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
3. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, IOC, Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Elizangela Feitosa da Silva, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Referência Nacional para Esquistossomose – Malacologia, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

2. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Escola Nacional Sérgio Arouca, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Pública e Ambiental, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Downloads

Published

2023-12-19

How to Cite

RAMOS-DE-SOUZA, J.; RODRIGUES GOMES, S.; CARVALHO DE MATTOS, A.; PORFÍRIO DE SOUSA, A. K.; FEITOSA DA SILVA, E.; MALDONADO-JUNIOR, A.; CARVALHO THIENGO, S. Achatina fulica infected by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Manaus, brazilian amazon region, and the risk of transmission of eosinophilic meningitis . Revista de Patologia Tropical / Journal of Tropical Pathology, Goiânia, v. 52, n. 4, p. 295–303, 2023. DOI: 10.5216/rpt.v52i4.77199. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufg.br/iptsp/article/view/77199. Acesso em: 22 dec. 2024.

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 4 (2023)

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

License

The manuscript submission must be accompanied by a letter signed by all authors stating the full name and email address, confirming that the material has not been published or is under consideration for publication elsewhere, and agreeing to transfer copyright in all media and formats for Journal of Tropical Pathology. The authors will not be paid for published articles. They are solely responsible for the content of those articles, even if the Editor holds the right to adjust them to the norms of the journal.

The reviewers will not be paid for the peer review process.