<i>Angiostrongylus cantonensis</i> Infection in Brown Rats (<i>Rattus norvegicus</i>), Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 2019–2022
Nicole Gottdenker, Rafael Antonio Nascimento Ramos, Hassan Hakimi, Brittany McHale, Sam Rivera, Bryce M. Miller, Elizabeth W. Howerth, Caitlin E. Burrell, Justin M. Stilwell, Rita McManamon, Guilherme G. Verocai
Abstract
Rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis), a zoonotic parasite invasive to the United States, causes eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. A. cantonensis harbors in rat reservoir hosts and is transmitted through gastropods and other paratenic hosts. We discuss the public health relevance of autochthonous A. cantonensis cases in brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Topics & Concepts
Angiostrongylus cantonensisLungwormParatenicAngiostrongyliasisBiologyZoologyHelminthsMollusks and Parasites StudiesParasite Biology and Host InteractionsHelminth infection and control