Panstrongylus cantonensis – Eggs and larvae in rodent's lung (HES stain)

France, CHU Rennes Parasitologie-Mycologie

Angiostrongylus (=Parastrongylus) cantonensis eggs embryonate then hatch into small pulmonary arteries. Larvae pass through alveolar wall, migrate through respiratory passages into the pharynx, are swallowed and finally are excreted in stools. Further development of the larvae takes place in one of the several species of snails or slugs, and also of freshwater crabs or crayfishes. Man acquires infection by ingestion of these raw or undercooked paratenic hosts. Only larvae or immature adults are found into human meninges or CSF.