First report of a naturally patent infection of Angiostrongylus costaricensis in a dog

Abstract

Angiostrongylus costaricensis is the zoonotic agent of abdominal angiostrongyliasis in several countries in North and South America. Rodents are recognized as the main definitive hosts of A. costaricensis, but other wildlife species can develop patent infections. Although, several human cases have been described in the literature, the role of domestic animals in the epidemiology of the infection is not clear. Here we review the literature available on A. costaricensis in mammals and describe the first confirmed fatal case of abdominal angiostrongyliasis in a 4-month-old dog, presented with intestinal perforation, peritonitis and faecal shedding of first-stage larvae. Parasite identity was confirmed by morphology, histology and molecular characterization of target genes. This is the first record of a naturally infected dog acting as a definitive host for A. costaricensis. These data suggest that dogs may potentially spread this parasite in urbanized areas.

The white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) is a naturally susceptible definitive host for the zoonotic nematode Angiostrongylus costaricensis in Costa Rica

“…Indeed, the report of A. costaricensis from mesenteric arteries of free-ranging raccoons and an opossum in Florida was never confirmed by fecal shedding of L1 (Miller et al, 2006). Our findings together with the consistent occurrence of populations of infected mollusk intermediate hosts in urban and peri-urban areas of Costa Rica with prevalence of infection >50% for veronicellid slugs (Conejo and Morera, 1988), highlight the risk of abdominal angiostrongyliasis to humans and their pets, which, in turn, may act as reservoir hosts in the domestic environment (Alfaro-Alarcón et al, 2016). Local residents should be informed about the risk of transmission and public health authorities should consider surveillance and control strategies to reduce intermediate host populations.…”

“…Angiostrongylus costaricensis (Strongylida, Angiostrongylidae), a zoonotic nematode causing severe or fatal abdominal angiostrongyliasis in humans, develops in a wide range of rodents (i.e., cotton rat Sigmodon hispidus) which act as definitive hosts (Morera and Céspedes, 1971;Spratt, 2015). In addition, naturally infected white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) and dogs have been suggested to act as reservoir for this parasite (Monge et al, 1978;Alfaro-Alarcón et al, 2016) and they may shed first-stage larvae (L1) in their feces. Angiostrongylus costaricensis was also reported from mesenteric arteries of free-ranging raccoons (Procyon lotor) and an opossum (Didelphis virginiana) in Florida (United States) although, fecal shedding of L1 was not demonstrated (Miller et al, 2006).…”

Zoonotic nematodes of wild carnivores

“…Angiostrongylus costaricensis (Strongylida, Angiostrongylidae) is a nematode species causing severe or fatal zoonosis in North and South America. Besides the wide range of rodents (i.e., cotton rat Sigmodon hispidus ) as most important definitive hosts, white-nosed coati ( Nasua narica ) and the domestic dog can act as potential definitive hosts excreting L1 with their faces (Alfaro-Alarcón et al, 2016). Definitive hosts and humans may become infected ingesting L3 in raw or undercooked intermediate hosts (slug and snails) or with vegetables contaminated with mucus of them containing L3 (Spratt, 2015).…”

Occurrence of Rhabditid Nematodes in the Pet Giant African Land Snails (Achatina fulica)

“…Specifically, the giant African land snail is the main gastropod responsible for worldwide spread of A. cantonensis that causes human eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in Asia and Americas (2, 6). Risk factors for infection in humans, pets and wildlife with those helminth parasites include the ingestion of raw or undercooked infected snails or slugs, or foods contaminated by the slime of infected snails or slugs (4, 5, 7, 8).…”