Abdominal angiostrongylosis

Abstract

Abdominal angiostrongylosis, caused by Atigiostrongylus costaricensis (Morera and Cespedes, 1971) or Morerastrongylus rostaricensis (Chabaud, 1972), is a parasitic disease characterized by a granulomatous inflammatory reaction with heavy eosinophilic infiltration of the intestinal wall, especially in the ileocecal region. Ectopic localizations of the nematode cause liver and testicular lesions. Although the parasite was described in 1971 (Morera and Cespedes, 1971), the disease has been observed in Costa Rican children since 1952. Subsequently, the definitive and intermediate hosts were identified and the life cycle was elucidated (Morera, 1973). Since then, human cases of the disease have been reported from Mexico to Argentina, including some Caribbean Islands. More recently an autochthonous case of the disease has been reported from Africa. In addition, naturally infected cotton rats (Sigmodon hispilins) have been found in the USA.