Investigation on Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in rodents in Fujian Province / 中国人兽共患病学报

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the natural infection of Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis) in rodents in Fujian Province and provide more scientific evidences for control and prevention.?Rats captured with cages were numbered, and the species, gender and maturity were identified in each village every day. Rats' hearts and lungs were taken out and soaked into physiological saline solution to tear to pieces. The detected A. cantonensis were put into physiological saline solution in other glassware then the number and gender were identified. This investigation was conducted in 67 villages in 35 towns, covering 23 counties in 9 cities and regions. Except Shanghang County in Longyan city and Pingtan County in Fuzhou city, rodents infected with A. cantonensis was found in 21 counties. Of 4 890 rats were examined and 434 infected rats were identified with an infection rate of 8.90%. Rattus norvegicus had the highest infection rate of 17.75% (315/1 775), following by Rattus flavipectus with an infection rate of 6.21% (49/789). Additionally, the infection rates of the Musk shrew and Mus musculus were 2.81% (29/1 032) and 2.52%(3/119), respectively (χ2＝185.06, P＜0.001). Moreover, the infection rate of adult rats (21.37%) was much higher than that of immature rats (11.11%) (χ2＝14.50, P＜0.05). These results indicated that the A. cantonensis infection of rodents has covered most area in Fujian Province and the geographical distribution of infected rats was similar with that of Ampullaria gigas.