OBSERVATIONS ON THE METHOD OF HUMAN INFECTION WITH ANGIOSTRONGYLUS CANTONENSIS IN TAHITI

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Abstract
Infective larvae of the rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the causative agent of parasitic meningoencephalitis in man, have been found in about 4% of the stomach contents of freshwater prawns examined in Tahiti. This is believed to constitute the main source of the local human infection. These crustaceans and "taioro," a food consisting of grated coconut and prawn juice, are commonly eaten raw by Tahitians and some local Europeans. Infected mollusks have also been found on vegetation commonly eaten raw, and may constitute an occasional source of human infection. Laboratory-raised rats have been experimentally infected with A. cantonensis by applying infective larvae on the abraded skin. No infection occurred when the larvae were placed on the intact skin. In addition to land mollusks, the freshwater snail (Fossaria ollula) was also found to be a suitable intermediate host for A. cantonensis.