Angiostrongylosis in Animals and Humans in Europe

Abstract

Lungworms in the genus Angiostrongylus cause disease in animals and humans. The spread of Angiostrongylus vasorum within Europe and the recent establishment of Angiostrongylus cantonensis increase the relevance of these species to veterinary and medical practitioners, and to researchers in parasitology, epidemiology, veterinary science and ecology. This review introduces the key members of the genus present in Europe and their impacts on health, and updates the current epidemiological situation. Expansion of A. vasorum from localized pockets to wide distribution across the continent has been confirmed by a rising prevalence in foxes and increasing reports of infection and disease in dogs, while the list of carnivore and mustelid definitive hosts continues to grow. The tropically distributed rat lungworm A. cantonensis, meanwhile, has been recorded on islands south of Europe, previously the Canary Islands, and now also the Balearic Islands, although so far with limited evidence of zoonotic disease. Other members of the genus, namely, A. chabaudi, A. daskalovi and A. dujardini, are native to Europe and mainly infect wildlife, with unknown consequences for populations, although spill-over can occur into domestic animals and those in zoological collections. The epidemiology of angiostrongylosis is complex, and further research is needed on parasite maintenance in sylvatic hosts, and on the roles of ecology, behaviour and genetics in disease emergence. Improved surveillance in animals and humans is also required to support risk assessments and management.

Hemostatic Dysfunction in Dogs Naturally Infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum—A Narrative Review

“…The disease is reported worldwide, currently with endemic occurrence throughout Europe (including United Kingdom), Eastern Canada, South America, and Uganda [1]. Recent years have shown an increase in the number of reported cases along with an expansion into new geographical areas [2][3][4]. The majority of the clinical cases are reported from European countries with sporadic cases reported from other parts of the world [5,6].…”

Angiostrongylus vasorum, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Crenosoma vulpis and Troglostrongylus brevior Infections in Native Slug Populations of Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg in Germany

“…Aelurostronylus abstrusus , Angiostrongylus vasorum , Crenosoma vulpis and Troglostrongylus brevior all belong to the superfamily Metastrongyloidea and represent a group of nematodes with a heteroxenous life cycle, infecting companion animals (dogs, cats) and mammal wildlife as definitive hosts, gastropods as intermediate hosts, and several paratenic hosts (e.g., birds, amphibians, reptiles) [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].…”

“…Metastrongyloid lungworms seem to spread and emerge in countries where it has previously not been reported [ 1 , 5 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Angiostrongylus vasorum , A. abstrusus, C. vulpis and T. brevior were consistently found in areas of Europe, South America, Africa and North America, where these parasites were supposed to be non-endemic [ 1 , 5 , 12 , 24 , 25 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Furthermore, A. vasorum infections seem to expand with a northward tendency [ 24 , 32 ] in Europe and South America [ 33 ].…”

“…Furthermore, A. vasorum infections seem to expand with a northward tendency [ 24 , 32 ] in Europe and South America [ 33 ]. Of note, the causes of emergence of this parasitosis remain to this point unknown [ 1 ]. One reason for that is the fact that lungworm epidemiology is multifactorial [ 1 , 28 , 32 ].…”

“…Of note, the causes of emergence of this parasitosis remain to this point unknown [ 1 ]. One reason for that is the fact that lungworm epidemiology is multifactorial [ 1 , 28 , 32 ]. Different parameters, such as ecological and behavioral factors as well as the climate/global warming influencing the dynamics of reservoir host populations and intermediate host populations are hypothesized to contribute to the increasing prevalence of these nematodes [ 1 , 29 , 34 , 35 , 36 ].…”