Rat-borne parasite causing brain disease spreading in Southern U.S.

Rat-borne parasite causing brain disease spreading in Southern U.S.

The Rat Lungworm: A Creepy Parasite Invades the U.S. Southeast

Parasites are creepy creatures that inhabit our nightmares, and the latest addition to the horror movie is the rat lungworm. Found in brown rats near Atlanta, this microscopic parasite is causing quite a panic due to its potential to trigger a dangerous brain encephalitis in both humans and pets. Researchers are now sounding the alarm, warning that this parasite threatens a wide area of the U.S. Southeast.

The parasite in question is none other than Angiostrongylus cantonensis, known as rat lungworm. Its life cycle typically begins in native and exotic snails, with rats contracting the parasite after consuming these snails. Originating in Asia, A. cantonensis was not initially endemic to the United States. However, it made its first appearance in Hawaii, then spread to Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida. The parasite is believed to have been introduced by infected rats and gastropods, most likely through trade routes, such as on merchant ships.

The cycle continues as infected rats excrete the parasite in their feces. Although rare, people who come into direct contact with A. cantonensis can become infected. This worm has been known to cause a dangerous inflammation of the brain or its surrounding membrane, known as meningoencephalitis. It is a condition that should not be taken lightly.

In an effort to understand the spread of rat lungworm, a team of researchers led by Nicole Gottdenker, an associate professor of anatomic pathology at the University of Georgia in Athens, collected samples from 33 wild brown rats found dead in Atlanta between 2019 and 2022. They discovered that about one-fifth of the rats showed signs of parasitic worms, particularly in their hearts, pulmonary arteries, and brain tissues. Moreover, an identical strain of A. cantonensis was identified in four out of seven samples.

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This indicates that the zoonotic parasite has become established in a new area of the southeastern United States, and it is highly likely that A. cantonensis populations were present in Georgia even before 2019. In fact, the parasite has been found in rats in neighboring states like Florida and Alabama, suggesting that the spread has been ongoing for some time.

It is not just rats that are affected by rat lungworm. Infections with the worm have been identified in captive wildlife throughout the Southeast, and even in a red kangaroo kept in Mississippi. This is truly alarming, as it signifies that the parasite is not restricted to a specific animal population and poses a threat to both humans and animals.

But why has the spread of A. cantonensis been more prevalent in recent years? According to the Atlanta researchers, climate change could be a contributing factor. Human interference and climate-induced changes in local food webs may be introducing and supporting new snail species that carry the parasite.

With the increasing threat of rat lungworm in the U.S. Southeast, doctors and veterinarians must be vigilant. In cases of meningoencephalitis, infection with this parasite should be considered as a possible diagnosis. The health of humans, domestic animals, free-ranging wildlife, and captive animals is at stake, and early detection is crucial for effective treatment.

While the invasion of rat lungworm may sound like a plot twist from a horror movie, it is a real threat that we need to take seriously. Vigilance, awareness, and prompt action are essential in combating this creepy and dangerous parasite.

Sources: – Emerging Infectious Diseases