Consumption of invasive apple snails (Pomacea spp.): a public health concern  for neuroangiostrongyliasis in Taiwan            

Abstract

Angiostrongylus cantonensis(Rat Lungworm) is a major pathogen of Eosinophilic Meningitis in humans worldwide. Angiostrongylus cantonensis generally completes its life-cycle in two hosts: the rats as definitive and the gastropods as intermediate hosts. Among the wide range of intermediate hosts is the critically invasive Pomacea canaliculata (Golden apple snails), which have caused numerous outbreaks of neuroangiostrongyliasis worldwide, especially China and Taiwan. While there have been numerous surveys on the prevalence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae in P. canaliculata in China, there are an inadequate number