Overview
Angiostrongyliasis is an infection caused by parasitic roundworms called Angiostrongylus. There are two main forms of this disease. The first, caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis, mainly affects the brain and spinal cord and is sometimes called rat lungworm disease or eosinophilic meningitis. The second, caused by Angiostrongylus costaricensis, affects the intestines and abdomen and is sometimes called abdominal angiostrongyliasis. People usually get infected by accidentally eating raw or undercooked snails, slugs, freshwater shrimp, crabs, or vegetables contaminated with larvae from these parasites. Rats are the natural host of the worm, and snails or slugs pick up the larvae from rat droppings. When the brain form occurs, the larvae travel to the brain and cause inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This leads to severe headaches, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes tingling or pain in the skin. In the abdominal form, the worms cause inflammation in the gut wall, leading to stomach pain, fever, and sometimes a lump in the belly. Most people with the brain form recover fully, though recovery can take weeks to months. Severe cases can cause lasting nerve damage or, rarely, death. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, reducing inflammation with steroids, and sometimes using antiparasitic medicines. There is no vaccine to prevent this infection.
Key symptoms:
Severe headacheStiff neckNausea and vomitingTingling, burning, or unusual skin sensationsSensitivity to lightFeverFatigue and general weaknessStomach or abdominal pain (abdominal form)Swollen or tender belly (abdominal form)Diarrhea or constipation (abdominal form)Blurred or double vision (in severe brain cases)Muscle achesLow-grade fever
Clinical phenotype terms (39)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
1 availableAzithromycin
Pharyngitis/tonsillitis in adults and pediatric patients (2 years of age and older)
Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Angiostrongyliasis at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Angiostrongyliasis.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Do I need a spinal tap, and how will the results guide my treatment?,Should I take antiparasitic medication, and what are the risks and benefits?,How long will my symptoms last, and what is my expected recovery timeline?,Are there any lasting complications I should watch for after I recover?,What warning signs should prompt me to go to the emergency room?,Is there anything I can do to speed up my recovery at home?,How can I prevent getting this infection again in the future?
Common questions about Angiostrongyliasis
What is Angiostrongyliasis?
Angiostrongyliasis is an infection caused by parasitic roundworms called Angiostrongylus. There are two main forms of this disease. The first, caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis, mainly affects the brain and spinal cord and is sometimes called rat lungworm disease or eosinophilic meningitis. The second, caused by Angiostrongylus costaricensis, affects the intestines and abdomen and is sometimes called abdominal angiostrongyliasis. People usually get infected by accidentally eating raw or undercooked snails, slugs, freshwater shrimp, crabs, or vegetables contaminated with larvae from these p
How is Angiostrongyliasis inherited?
Angiostrongyliasis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Angiostrongyliasis?
25 specialists and care centers treating Angiostrongyliasis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.