Angiostrongylus cantonensis Rat Lungworm Detected in Rats, Madagascar, 2022-2023

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Zoonotic Diseases
• Molecular Epidemiology

Background:

• Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a significant zoonotic parasite responsible for eosinophilic meningitis in humans.
• The parasite's life cycle involves rats as definitive hosts and gastropods as intermediate hosts.
• Understanding parasite distribution is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in rat populations in Madagascar.
• To characterize the mitochondrial genome of A. cantonensis isolates from Madagascar.
• To evaluate the efficacy of oral swabs for noninvasive parasite detection.

Main Methods:

• Collection of oral swab specimens from rats in Madagascar.
• Molecular detection of A. cantonensis DNA using PCR.
• Mitochondrial genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

Main Results:

• Prevalence data for A. cantonensis in the studied rat population.
• Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of local A. cantonensis strains.
• Demonstration of oral swabs as a viable method for parasite detection.

Conclusions:

• Oral swabs are effective for the noninvasive detection of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
• This study provides baseline data on A. cantonensis prevalence and genetic diversity in Madagascar.
• Findings support the use of oral swabs for epidemiological surveillance of this zoonotic parasite.