Invasive Snails and Angiostrongyliasis in China
Author Information
Author(s): Lv Shan, Zhang Yi, Liu He-Xiang, Hu Ling, Yang Kun, Steinmann Peter, Chen Zhao, Wang Li-Ying, Utzinger Jürg, Zhou Xiao-Nong
Primary Institution: National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Hypothesis
What is the distribution of Angiostrongylus cantonensis and its intermediate host snails in China?
Conclusion
The first national survey in China revealed a wide distribution of Angiostrongylus cantonensis and two invasive snail species, indicating that a considerable number of people are at risk of angiostrongyliasis.
Supporting Evidence
- 11,709 P. canaliculata were screened, with 6.8% infected with A. cantonensis.
- 13.4% of 3,549 A. fulica examined were infected.
- Two clusters of A. cantonensis–infected P. canaliculata were predicted in Fujian and Guangxi provinces.
- The survey covered 164 counties across 19 provinces in China.
Takeaway
This study found that two types of invasive snails are spreading a disease called angiostrongyliasis in China, which can make people very sick if they eat infected snails.
Methodology
A national survey was conducted using a grid sampling approach to collect and examine potential intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis across 164 counties in 19 provinces.
Limitations
The survey did not assess the accuracy of the predicted prevalence of A. cantonensis due to lack of ground truthing.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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