BACKGROUNDAngiostrongyliasis is an infection caused by nematode worms of the genus Angiostrongylus. The adult worms inhabit the pulmonary arteries, heart, bronchioles of the lung, or mesenteric arteries of the caecum of definitive host. Of a total 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.OBJECTIVESIn the present study, geographical and chronological distribution of definitive hosts of Angiostrongylus in the Americas is analysed in order to observe their relationship with disease reports. Moreover, the role of different definitive hosts as sentinels and dispersers of infective stages is discussed.METHODSThe study area includes the Americas. First records of Angiostrongylus spp. in definitive or accidental hosts were compiled from the literature. Data were included in tables and figures and were matched to geographic information systems (GIS).FINDINGSMost 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, most disease cases indicate a coincidence between the finding of definitive host and disease record. However, in some geographic site there are gaps between report of definitive host and disease record. In many areas, human populations have invaded natural environments and their socioeconomic conditions do not allow adequate medical care.MAIN CONCLUSIONSConsequently, many cases for angiostrongyliasis could have gone unreported or unrecognised throughout history and in the nowadays. Moreover, the population expansion and the climatic changes invite to make broader and more complete range of observation on the species that involve possible epidemiological risks. This paper integrates and shows the current distribution of Angiostrongylus species in America, being this information very relevant for establishing prevention, monitoring and contingency strategies in the region.

The giant African snail Achatina fulica is an invasive mollusk native to Africa, the first record in Argentina was in Puerto Iguazú, in northeastern Argentina in 2010. Recently it was reported in Corrientes Province. This snail can act as an intermediate host of Metastrongyloidea nematodes of importance in public health as: Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Angiostrongylus costaricensis and Angiostrongylus vasorum. Taking into account the presence of A. fulica in Argentina, the objectives of this study is to assess the presence of Metastrongyloidea nematodes in this mollusk species in Puerto Iguazú, Misiones, close to the international border with Brazil and Paraguay. A total of 451 samples were collected from February 2014 to November 2015. The snails were processed using a digestion technique to recover the parasites. A total of 206 nematodes larvae were founded in the digestion solution of 10 hosts (P=2%; MA=0.5; MI=21). Third larval stage (L3) nematodes identified as Aelurostrongylus abstrusus were founded parasitizing the snails. No other larval stage was observed. This species has veterinary importance because it causes 'aelurostrongilosis', also known as feline strongyloidosis. This study constitutes the first record of a Metastrongyloidea nematode in A. fulica in Argentina and also highlights the susceptibility of this mollusk as intermediate host of other helminthes of health importance. The present study suggests that there is a need to establish an epidemiological monitoring system in order to prevent the possible installation of an infected mollusks focus.

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The aim of this work is to contribute to the knowledge of gastrointestinal parasites of the European starling Sturnus vulgaris, an invasive bird from Argentina. Seventy-six birds were collected during the spring of 2007 and were examined for helminths. Six parasite species were found: one trematoda of the Echinostoma revolutum "group," four nematodes (Synhimantus nasuta, Microtetrameres sp., Pterothominx exilis, and Ornithocapillaria ovopunctata), and one acanthocephalan (Plagiorhynchus cylindraceus). All species found have been recorded in Eurasia and/or North America previously, although present reports enlarge their geographical distribution. As expected in an invasive host, the parasite community shows much lower species richness (n = 6) than those observed in their native area (79 and 35 in the Eurasia and North America, respectively).

SummaryThe aim of this study is to describe the nematode cysts and larvae found in Achatina fulica, the giant African snail, in the northeast of Argentina. A total of 373 snails were collected from the cities of Puerto Iguazú and Corrientes. Cysts (N= 2958) containing nematodes identifi ed as L3 Strongyluris sp. were found in the mantle cavity of 87 snails from Puerto Iguazú City (Prevalence 23 %; Mean Intensity= 34; Mean Abundance= 8). The shell size correlated with prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance (p<0.05) indicating that there is an exposure-infection constant rather than an accidental one. In other hand, the absence of infection in the smallest shell size suggests a threshold of size to be infected. Taking into account that there exist records of A. fulica infected by nematodes of medical and veterinary importance such as Angiostrongylus and Aelurostrongylus in some Brazilian states near Puerto Iguazú, we emphasize the need for snail surveillance.

Ninety-five veronicellid slugs identified as Phyllocaulis variegatus were collected in Puerto Iguazú, Misiones Province, Argentina. Specimens were examined for parasites. Metacercariae of the genus Brachylaima (Brachylaimidae) were recovered from the body cavity near the female genital pore. The results establish the capability of P. variegatus to act as an intermediate host of Brachylaima sp. in the area. This study represents the first record of metacercariae of Brachylaima sp. in Argentina.

Los gasterópodos pueden actuar como hospedadores intermediarios de ciclos de nematodes Metastrongyloidea (Strongylida) de importancia en sanidad humana y animal. Los metastrongylidos incluyen cuatro especies de importancia sanitaria a nivel mundial: Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Angiostrongylus costaricensis, Angiostrongylus vasorum y Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. Lissachatina fulica fue detectado en la ciudad de Puerto Iguazú, Misiones en el año 2010 y es una especie que está en simpatría con las especies nativas Phyllocaulis variegatus y Latipes erinaceus. En el Noreste Argentino (NEA) aún no existen estudios parasitológicos en gasterópodos terrestres. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar la distribución, dispersión y parasitofauna del caracol gigante africano L. fulica, desde su detección hasta la actualidad y de las babosas nativas con el fin de determinar su rol en la transmisión de helmintos parásitos, con especial énfasis en los nematodes metastrongylidos. Se analizaron un total de 995 ejemplares de L. fulica, 120 de P. variegatus y 14 de L. erinaceus, colectados en el área urbana de Puerto Iguazú los cuales fueron medidos para posteriormente ser clasificados en cuatro intervalos de tallas. Los hospedadores fueron procesados utilizando dos técnicas diferentes: evisceración y digestión artificial. Se identificaron tres especies de helmintos parásitos: Brachylaima sp. (Trematoda, Brachylaimidae), Strongyluris sp. (Nematoda, Heterakidae) y Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Angiostrongylidae). A pesar de los bajos valores de prevalencia, abundancia media e intensidad media hallados, los resultados mostraron una relación significativamente positiva entre la carga parasitaria y el tamaño de los hospedadores. Así mismo, se observó que las variables ambientales no influyen sobre la distribución de las especies parásitas. El análisis de distribución espacial de L. fulica desde su detección en la Argentina hasta la actualidad se incrementó, encontrándose así nuevas áreas focos dentro de la ciudad de Puerto Iguazú. En contraparte la distribución de P. variegatus y L. erinaceus disminuyó a lo largo del tiempo de muestreo. Los mapas predictivos de distribución de nicho ecológico muestran a futuro un cambio radical en la distribución espacial de L. fulica, alcanzando una expansión hacia nuevas áreas geográficas actualmente insospechadas. Se observó que las áreas más comprometidas para el futuro son el este, oeste y sur de Sudamérica, incluida casi la totalidad de la de Argentina. Por otra parte se observó que los factores ambientales influyen en el tamaño corporal de L. fulica, observándose una significativa asociación entre las tallas más pequeñas [0-3 cm) y períodos con escasas precipitaciones-bajas temperaturas (período de hibernación), y entre las tallas más grandes [6-12 cm) y períodos con temperaturas promedio de 20-25 C°, y precipitaciones continuas (períodos postestivación). En relación a las babosas Veronicellidae las tallas intermedias [3-9 cm) fueron las más abundantes en el bimestre octubre-noviembre, período en el que se observa un incremento en las lluvias y descenso de las temperaturas, aspecto importante para organismos desnudos que respiran a través de su tegumento. La continuidad de estos estudios sobre la parasitofauna de gasterópodos terrestres y en particular de L. fulica permitirá conocer su rol en la transmisión de parásitos de importancia sanitaria en Puerto Iguazú y en las áreas de expansión de distribución prevista para los próximos años, dado que representan un escenario epidemiológico preocupante.