Monsters Inside Me
Angiostrongyliasis
Caused by the rat lungworm, or Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
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The Parasite: Angiostrongyliasis is a disease caused by a parasite known as Angiostongylus cantonensis or the rat lungworm. Its life cycle begins when the adult worm lays eggs inside the lungs of a rat. These eggs hatch into larvae, which are then coughed up from the rat's lungs and swallowed back into its stomach. The larvae are expelled in the rat's feces and then make their way into a second host when a slug or snail feeds on it. (Less frequently, they are ingested by freshwater prawns, crabs and frogs). In turn, rats feed on the snails and slugs, and the life cycle repeats itself.
How do humans get it? Snails and slugs can sometimes be overlooked in unwashed produce, which makes its way to a person's plate. If humans ingest an infected snail or slug — or even slime left by these creatures — they can become infected with the rat lungworm. The parasite is generally found in Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean. There have been cases in the continental United States but they have often been linked to travel in parts of the world known to contain this parasite.
The Infection: Angiostrongyliasis can affect the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include the following: severe headaches, skin tingling and sensitivity, stiffness in the back and neck, sensitivity to light, hallucinations, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, the infected human can develop eosinophilic meningitis — an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. These symptoms may persist for several weeks or months as the body's immune system responds to the parasite.
Treatment: This infection generally does not require antibiotics, as the parasite dies over time without treatment. However, patients are often given treatment for their symptoms — such as pain medication for headaches — rather than treatments geared directly toward the parasite. Patients with meningitis may also be treated for that disease.
Prevention: Wash produce thoroughly and boil snails, freshwater prawns and frogs for at least 5 minutes before eating. Do not handle snails or slugs with bare hands and apply slug bait to eliminate them from your garden. Controlling rodents can also help reduce the likelihood of becoming infected with Angiostrongyliasis.
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Featured in Outbreak!, Episode 2 of MONSTERS INSIDE ME
These parasites work on a grand scale, infecting and killing in mass numbers. Highlighting angiostrongyliasis, caused by rat lungworm; cryptosporidiosis, caused by Cryptosporidium hominis; and cutaneous leishmaniasis.
 Check out the rat lungworm in action.
 Download a wallpaper-sized rat lungworm picture.
Visit the Monsters Inside Me video gallery.
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  Livin' La Vida Parasita! Find out how parasites affect our mind, our health and our lives in this series of articles from HowStuffWorks.com.
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 Rate Disgusting Parasite Habits: From blood-sucking to brain-eating, rate revolting parasite habits on a scale from "gross" (0) to "I think I'm going to vomit" (10).
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