A Scoping Review of Angiostrongyliasis and Other Diseases Associated with Terrestrial Mollusks, Including Lissachatina fulica : An Overview of Case Reports and Series

• Published in: Pathogens (Basel) 2024-10, Vol.13 (10), p.862
• Main Authors: Villanueva Parra, Isabella, Muñoz Diaz, Valentina, Martinez Guevara, Darly, Cruz Mosquera, Freiser Eceomo, Prieto-Alvarado, Diego Enrique, Liscano, Yamil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiostrongyliasis; Care and treatment; Case reports; Control; Diagnosis; Disease; Disease transmission; eosinophilic meningitis; Gastropoda; giant African snail (Lissachatina fulica); Health promotion; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Infections; invasive species; Kappa coefficient; Leukocytes (eosinophilic); Lissachatina fulica; Meningitis; Microorganisms; Mollusca; Mollusks; Nematodes; Parasites; Pathogens; Prevention; Public health; Review; Reviews; Snails; Statistical analysis; zoonotic diseases
• ISSN: 2076-0817; 2076-0817
• DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13100862

Terrestrial mollusks, including the invasive giant African snail ( ), pose significant public health risks due to their role as carriers of various pathogens, such as and . This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of diseases associated with and other terrestrial mollusks, with a particular focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these conditions. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the PRISMA-ScR framework, we conducted a systematic search and filtered results, identifying 27 relevant case reports and series for analysis. Our findings reveal that ingesting raw or undercooked snails is the most hazardous exposure route, with a 75% mortality rate in affected adults, particularly in regions where snail consumption is culturally significant, such as France. is the primary cause of eosinophilic meningitis, while leads to abdominal angiostrongyliasis. The review also highlights the widespread impact of in countries like France, the United States, Brazil, and Colombia, emphasizing the global nature of the threat. Children show consistent vulnerability across all exposure types, underscoring the need for targeted preventive strategies. This review underscores the urgent need for public health interventions, particularly educational campaigns to inform communities about the dangers of . Additionally, it highlights the importance of enhancing diagnostic methods and expanding surveillance to better manage the risks associated with these invasive snails. The findings provide valuable insights for the scientific community and recommend a multidisciplinary approach to effectively mitigate the public health risks posed by across diverse regions.