Angiostrongyloidosis

Angiostrongyloidosis is an infection caused by helminth larvae of the genus Angiostrongylus. The two main species in the genus Angiostrongylus that can cause diseases in humans are Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Angiostrongylus costaricensis. Human infections are acquired by ingestion of raw or undercooked snails or slugs or contaminated vegetables that contain the infective larvae of the worm. This chapter describes the epidemiology, host response, immunopathology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention of human angiostrongyloidosis and discusses how educating people in Angiostrongylus endemic areas about the dangers of eating raw or undercooked intermediate and paratenic hosts is essential for the prevention and control of this food-borne zoonotic disease.