Potential intermediate hosts of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the European Mediterranean region (Mallorca, Spain)

Jaume-Ramis, Sebastià; Martínez‐Ortí, Alberto; Delgado-Serra, Sofía; Bargues, Marìa Dolores; Mas‐Coma, Santiago; Foronda, Pilar; Paredes-Esquivel, Claudia

doi:10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100610

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…However, C. virgata (Figure S3) is reported here as a new intermediate host that should be added to the list of more than 200 species of terrestrial snails reported worldwide as intermediate hosts of the rat lungworm (Cowie et al., 2023). Three of the four negative species analysed, E. vermiculata , O. Punctata and R. decollata , had previously been reported as intermediate hosts in Mallorca (Jaume‐Ramis et al., 2023), but with the exception of E. vermiculata , the low number of individuals analysed in the present study could explain these negative results.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 51%

“…Among the three terrestrial snail species that tested positive for A. cantonensis in Valencia, two of them, T. pisana and C. aspersum , were previously reported as intermediate hosts in the Spanish islands of Tenerife (Canary Islands) (Martin‐Alonso et al., 2015) and Mallorca (Balearic Islands) (Jaume‐Ramis et al., 2023). However, C. virgata (Figure S3) is reported here as a new intermediate host that should be added to the list of more than 200 species of terrestrial snails reported worldwide as intermediate hosts of the rat lungworm (Cowie et al., 2023).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Local terrestrial snails as natural intermediate hosts of the zoonotic parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the new European endemic area of Valencia, Spain

Fuentes,

Gomez‐Samblas,

Richter

et al. 2024

Zoonoses and Public Health

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AimThe rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, has recently been found in the city of Valencia, parasitizing rats, Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus, its natural definitive hosts. This is the first finding of this zoonotic nematode in continental Europe. After informing local and national health authorities, the collection of local terrestrial snails took place with the aim of elucidating their potential role as intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis.Methods and ResultsA total of 145 terrestrial snails, belonging to the species Cernuella virgata, Cornu aspersum, Eobania vermiculata, Otala punctata, Pseudotachea splendida, Rumina decollata and Theba pisana, were randomly collected between May and December 2022 in public gardens, parks and orchards in six districts of Valencia, in five of which A. cantonensis had been reported previously in rats. Once collected and identified, the snails were frozen at −20°C. Subsequently, the DNA was isolated and screened by PCR using specific primers targeting the A. cantonensis COI gene. Seven individual snails, belonging to the species C. virgata, C. aspersum and T. pisana, were positive, for an overall prevalence of 4.8%. The PCR product from one of them was sequenced by Sanger sequencing.ConclusionsThe three positive terrestrial snail species are among the edible species that are frequently included in various dishes in Spain. C. virgata is reported as a previously unrecorded intermediate host and should be added to the list of more than 200 species of terrestrial snails that have been reported worldwide as intermediate hosts of the rat lungworm. Considering that these terrestrial snails may release infective larvae of A. cantonensis on leafy green vegetables on which they feed and during their handling and preparation for consumption, prophylactic measures to prevent human neuroangiostrongyliasis in Valencia and other regions to which this zoonotic parasite may spread are recommended.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 51%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local terrestrial snails as natural intermediate hosts of the zoonotic parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the new European endemic area of Valencia, Spain

Fuentes,

Gomez‐Samblas,

Richter

et al. 2024

Zoonoses and Public Health

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“…Special attention should be directed toward snail control and management in mountainous areas [52]. Additionally, forecasting the future distribution, dynamics and dispersal capacity of the vector snails under population evolution, land-use change and climate change is necessary to concerning the control of this emerging infectious disease [53].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dispersal and evolution of the invasive snailPomacea canaliculata, an intermediate host ofAngiostrongylus cantonensis: A field study around its initial introduction site in China

Luo,

Zhang,

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an emerging infectious disease in mainland China. The invasive snail (Pomacea canaliculata) is one of the main intermediate host of the zoonotic nematode. To gain insights into the spatial distribution, phenotypic variation and dispersal pattern of the snail populations. A field survey was conducted using modified nested sampling and selecting ditches as the main habitats. Snail distribution and abundance were displayed with predictions based on an inverse distance-weighted model. Correlation and spatial autocorrelation were analyzed among the measured parameters. The findings of this study demonstrate the well-established and abundant presence of P. canaliculata in ditches. A total of 564 sampling sites were assessed, with measurements taken on 10,145 snails having shell heights greater than 1.5 cm. The average population density was determined to be 20.31 ± 11.55 snails per square meter. Morphological analysis revealed an average snail body mass of 8.93 ± 3.95 g, shell height of 3.38 ± 0.66 cm, a sex ratio of 2.39 ± 1.01 female to male, and a shell color ratio of 9.34 ± 7.52 brown to yellow. Among these measurements, body mass was found to be significantly correlated with shell height (r = 0.88, p < 0.01) and shell color (r = 0.55, p < 0.05). Spatial-correlation analysis proved that shell height was the only factor significantly spatially autocorrelated (MI = 0.27, z = 2.20, p = 0.03), although weak autocorrelations appeared in body mass and shell color. The observed geographic variations of phenotypic traits indicated a human-mediated evolving process of the snail populations and a potential complexity of the parasite transmission system. These findings may enhance the assessment of the epidemiological health risk posed by angiostrongyliasis and inform strategies for controlling infectious snails.

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Potential intermediate hosts of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the European Mediterranean region (Mallorca, Spain)

Cited by 2 publications

References 40 publications

Local terrestrial snails as natural intermediate hosts of the zoonotic parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the new European endemic area of Valencia, Spain

Local terrestrial snails as natural intermediate hosts of the zoonotic parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the new European endemic area of Valencia, Spain

Dispersal and evolution of the invasive snailPomacea canaliculata, an intermediate host ofAngiostrongylus cantonensis: A field study around its initial introduction site in China

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