Lungworms in the genus Angiostrongylus cause disease in animals and humans. The spread of Angiostrongylus vasorum within Europe and the recent establishment of Angiostrongylus cantonensis increase the relevance of these species to veterinary and medical practitioners, and to researchers in parasitology, epidemiology, veterinary science and ecology. This review introduces the key members of the genus present in Europe and their impacts on health, and updates the current epidemiological situation. Expansion of A. vasorum from localized pockets to wide distribution across the continent has been confirmed by a rising prevalence in foxes and increasing reports of infection and disease in dogs, while the list of carnivore and mustelid definitive hosts continues to grow. The tropically distributed rat lungworm A. cantonensis, meanwhile, has been recorded on islands south of Europe, previously the Canary Islands, and now also the Balearic Islands, although so far with limited evidence of zoonotic disease. Other members of the genus, namely, A. chabaudi, A. daskalovi and A. dujardini, are native to Europe and mainly infect wildlife, with unknown consequences for populations, although spill-over can occur into domestic animals and those in zoological collections. The epidemiology of angiostrongylosis is complex, and further research is needed on parasite maintenance in sylvatic hosts, and on the roles of ecology, behaviour and genetics in disease emergence. Improved surveillance in animals and humans is also required to support risk assessments and management.

Applied Zoology and Animal Conservation Group University of the Balearic Islands 07122 Palma de Mallorca Spain

Biology Center Institute of Parasitology Czech Academy of Sciences 37005 Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic

Department of Botany and Zoology Faculty of Science Masaryk University 61137 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Veterinary Sciences Faculty of Agrobiology Food and Natural Resources CINeZ Czech University of Life Sciences Prague 16500 Praha Suchdol Czech Republic

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Teramo 64100 Teramo Italy

School of Biological Sciences Queen's University Belfast Belfast BT9 5DL UK

University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health University La Laguna Tenerife Canary Islands 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna Spain

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Rat lungworm survives winter: experimental overwintering of Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae in European slugs

An Overview of Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda: Angiostrongylidae), an Emerging Cause of Human Angiostrongylosis on the Indian Subcontinent