Angiostrongylus

A genus of metastrongyle nematodes parasitic in respiratory or circulatory systems of rodents, carnivores, and marsupials. SYN: Parastrongylus. [G. angeion, vessel, + strongylos, round]

- A. cantonensis lungworm of rodents, a species transmitted by infected mollusks ingested by rodents; larvae develop in the brain and migrate to lungs, where the adult worms are found; thought to cause eosinophilic encephalomeningitis in humans in the Pacific basin; larvae have been removed from cerebrospinal fluid and the anterior chamber of the eye from persons in Thailand who had eaten raw snails.

- A. costaricensis a nematode parasite of rats and other rodents in Central America, recently found to infect humans, where they locate in the mesenteric arteries; infective third-stage larvae have been found in the slug, Vaginulus plebeius. SYN: Morerastrongylus costaricensis.

- A. malaysiensis species of A. found in Malaysia, a common rodent parasite similar to A. cantonensis and an actual or potential agent of eosinophilic meningitis in that region.

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An·gio·stron·gy·lus (an″je-o-stronґjĭ-ləs) [angio- + Gr. strongylos round] a genus of parasitic nematodes of the family Angiostrongylidae.