What Is Rat Lungworm?
Rat Lungworm (Angistrongylus cantonensis) is a parasitic roundworm that can cause a serious disease known as angiostrongyliasis in humans and certain animals. It is also commonly referred to as rat lungworm, rat's lungworm, and rat lung fluke.
General Characteristics:
- Rat lungworm is a nematode, a type of roundworm, characterized by its elongated and cylindrical body.
- It has a complex life cycle involving multiple hosts, including rats as primary hosts and various animals, including humans, as secondary hosts.
Life Cycle:
1. Adult Worms in Rats: Adult rat lungworms reside in the pulmonary arteries and lung tissue of infected rats.
2. Eggs and First-stage Larvae: Adult worms lay eggs that hatch into first-stage larvae.
3. Snail and Slug Hosts: First-stage larvae are released into the environment through rat feces and can be ingested by snails and slugs.
4. Development in Snails and Slugs: Inside the snail or slug, the larvae develop into infectious third-stage larvae (also known as metacercariae).
5. Second-stage Host Consumption: Humans, animals, and other susceptible hosts can become infected by consuming raw or undercooked snails, slugs, and contaminated vegetables. Third-stage larvae in these hosts can migrate through tissues to various locations in the body.
Symptoms and Disease:
- In humans, angiostrongyliasis can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the location of the larvae migration.
- Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include meningitis (inflammation of the brain and its coverings), headaches, neck stiffness, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, weakness, and skin lesions.
- Eosinophilia (an increase in a certain type of white blood cell) may also occur.
- In severe cases, angiostrongyliasis can lead to long-term neurologic complications or even fatalities.
Risk Factors:
- Consumption of raw or undercooked snails and slugs is the primary risk factor for rat lungworm infection.
- Individuals living in regions where rat lungworm is common, such as Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Australia, are at higher risk.
- Engaging in activities like gardening, farming, and eating wild caught snails or animals without proper cooking can also increase the risk of infection.
Prevention:
Avoiding the consumption of raw or undercooked snails, slugs, freshwater shrimp, and other potentially contaminated delicacies is crucial to prevent rat lungworm infection. Thoroughly cooking these items is essential. Practicing good food safety measures, such as washing produce and meats thoroughly, is also important to reduce the risk.
Treatment:
There is no specific cure for angiostrongyliasis, and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and managing complications. Anti-parasitic medications may be used in severe cases to reduce the worm burden. Supportive care, including pain management, anti-inflammatory drugs, and rest, is often necessary.