Angiostrongyliasis, Abdominal
[Angiostrongylus costaricensis]
Causal Agent
The nematode (roundworm) Angiostrongylus (=Parastrongylus) costaricensis is the causal agent of abdominal angiostrongyliasis (intestinal angiostrongyliasis). The related species A. cantonensis (rat lungworm), which causes neural angiostrongyliasis, is discussed here.
Life Cycle
Hosts
The main definitive host for A. costaricensis is the hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus); but adult worms have been found in other rodent species, such as black rats (Rattus rattus), short-tailed zygodonts (Zygodontomys brevicauda), spiny pocket mice (Heteromys adspersus), and pygmy rice rats (Oligoryzomys fulvescens). Slugs in the families Veronicellidae and Limacidae are the typical intermediate hosts.
Aberrant abdominal infections have been documented in humans, non-human primates, and other mammals, including raccoons and one opossum.
Geographic Distribution
Abdominal angiostrongyliasis has mainly been reported from parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. Although A. costaricensis has been found in various animals in the southern United States, the sporadic human cases identified in the United States are thought to have been travel associated.
Clinical Presentation
The clinical manifestations of abdominal angiostrongyliasis (A. costaricensis infection) arise from the parasite’s invasion of the gastrointestinal wall, and may mimic those of other conditions, such as appendicitis, Crohn’s disease, or Meckel’s diverticulum. Eosinophilia is commonly noted. Intestinal obstruction, perforation, and other complications may occur, as may ectopic infection (e.g., in the liver).
In humans, Angiostrongylus eggs and larvae remain sequestered in tissues and do not appear to be excreted in stool. A. costaricensis infections are predominantly abdominal; both eggs and larvae (occasionally adult worms) can be identified in biopsy or surgical specimens of intestinal tissue, where the eggs and larvae typically are engulfed in giant cells and/or granulomas.
The larvae of A. costaricensis in tissue sections need to be distinguished from larvae of Strongyloides . A. costaricensis first-stage (L1) larvae tend to be slightly smaller in diameter than S. stercoralis third-stage (L3) larvae and have single lateral alae, whereas S. stercoraliss L3 larvae have minute double lateral alae. The alae can be difficult to discern in most histologic sections. However, the presence of granulomas containing thin-shelled eggs and/or larvae generally serves to distinguish A. costaricensis infections from Strongyloides infections.
Laboratory Diagnosis
Diagnosis of abdominal angiostrongyliasis (A. costaricensis infection) is based on finding eggs, larvae, or adult worms in histologic sections. The patient’s travel/exposure history may prompt consideration of the diagnosis.
Molecular Diagnosis
No molecular tests specific for A. costaricensis are available. However, A. costaricensis can be identified in tissue by conventional PCR followed by DNA sequencing analysis.
Laboratory Safety
Standard precautions for the examination of histologic sections apply. Infectious L3 larvae are not encountered in a diagnostic laboratory setting.
Suggested Reading
Miller, C.L., Kinsella, J.M., Garner, M.M., Evans, S., Gullett, P.A. and Schmidt, R.E., 2006. Endemic infections of Parastrongylus (= Angiostrongylus) costaricensis in two species of nonhuman primates, raccoons, and an opossum from Miami, Florida. Journal of Parasitology, 92(2), pp.406-408.
DPDx is an educational resource designed for health professionals and laboratory scientists. For an overview including prevention, control, and treatment visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/.