Seroprevalence and pathology of lung worm Angiostrongylus cantonensis in brown rats (Rattus novergicus) from Grenada, West Indies Tiwari K.1, Acuna A. Montanez1, Guerrero A.1, Piechowski B.1, Thille K.1, Sharma R.N.1,* 1Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies. *Corresponding author: e-mail: rsharma@sgu.edu
Abstract Angiostrogylus cantonenis, rat lung worm is zoonotic and causes disease in humans, dogs and wild animals. Disease is endemic in Asia, North America, Africa and Australia. Recently, spread of the parasite has been recorded in the Caribbean and South America. In Grenada, disease in rats was first reported in 2009. The present study is follow up with the inclusion of seroepidemiology of the A. cantonensis in brown rats, reported as better diagnostic tool. Between 1st May and 17th July 2017, 170 brown rats (R. norvegicus) were trapped from two heavily human populated parishes (St. George and St. David) of the country. The rats were anesthetized, and exsanguinated as a result of total blood collection. After necropsy lungs were examined grossly and microscopically. Antibodies against A. cantonensis were found in 88 rats out of 169 (52%). Gross lesions in lungs were in 31.8% rats (54/170) and microscopic lesions in lungs were 39.1% (67/170). Gross lesions were seen in form of small nodules in entire lung. Nodules in tissue sections were formed by larvae and infiltration of leukocytes. In 11 rats (6.47%) worms were present in heart and vessels of lungs. A high prevalence of rat lung worms in Grenada poses the danger of serious zoonosis in humans. Further research to investigate the infection of intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis in Grenada is warranted to educate Grenadian population and health workers on prevention of zoonosis, based on the infection in intermediate hosts. Top Keywords Angiostongylus cantonensis, Antibodies, Grenada, Lesions, Rat, Rattus norvegicus. Top |