# Autochthonous Rat Lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis Infections in Accidental and Definitive Hosts, San Diego, California, USA

**Authors:** Shotaro Nakagun, Carlo G. Gonzalez Vera, Alexis Wohl, Deana L. Clifford, Garrett A. Fraess, Jordyn R. Nylander, Estefanía Montero, Javier Asin, Steven V. Kubiski, Rachel E. Burns

PMC · DOI: 10.3201/eid3202.251081 · Emerging Infectious Diseases · 2026-02-01

## TL;DR

Rat lungworm infections in animals in San Diego highlight a public health concern due to potential risks to humans.

## Contribution

First documentation of autochthonous A. cantonensis infections in parma wallabies and opossums in California.

## Key findings

- A. cantonensis infections were identified in a zoo-housed parma wallaby in San Diego.
- Free-ranging Virginia opossums and roof rats also tested positive for the parasite.
- The findings suggest local transmission of the parasite in the region.

## Abstract

The rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is an emerging veterinary and public health concern. We describe A. cantonensis infections in a zoo-housed parma wallaby and free-ranging Virginia opossums and roof rats in San Diego, California, USA. Angiostrongyliasis should be considered in central nervous system disease in humans and animals in this region.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** angiostrongyliasis (MONDO:0019143)
- **Species:** Angiostrongylus cantonensis (taxon 6313)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** COI [NCBI Gene 8250915]
- **Diseases:** hindlimb paresis (MESH:D010291), Infections (MESH:D007239), ataxia (MESH:D001259), thrombosis (MESH:D013927), extensor rigidity (MESH:D009127), necrosis (MESH:D009336), infarction (MESH:D007238), head shaking (MESH:D006258), central nervous system disease (MESH:D002493), granulomatous (MESH:D013968), meningoencephalitis (MESH:D008590), inflammation (MESH:D007249), A. cantonensis lungworm (MESH:C536369), blindness (MESH:D001766), respiratory distress (MESH:D012128), nystagmus (MESH:D009759), fibrosing pneumonia (MESH:D011014), nematode (MESH:D009349), neurologic disease (MESH:D020271), hemorrhage (MESH:D006470)
- **Chemicals:** Hematoxylin (MESH:D006416), formalin (MESH:D005557), eosin (MESH:D004801), paraffin (MESH:D010232), ethanol (MESH:D000431)
- **Species:** Virginia (genus) [taxon 183605], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116], Notamacropus parma (Parma wallaby, species) [taxon 413582], Didelphis virginiana (North American opossum, species) [taxon 9267], Lepidosauria (lepidosaurs, class) [taxon 8504], Rattus rattus (black rat, species) [taxon 10117], Nematodes (genus) [taxon 333870], Polihierax semitorquatus (species) [taxon 56339], Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm, species) [taxon 6313], Didelphidae (American opossums, family) [taxon 9265]

## Full text

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## Figures

3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12928223/full.md

## References

15 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12928223/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12928223