Rat Lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) in the Invasive Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Central Florida, USA

Ellis C Chase; Robert J Ossiboff; Terence M Farrell; April L Childress; Kelsey Lykins; Steve A Johnson; Nina Thompson; Heather D S Walden

doi:10.7589/JWD-D-21-00140

Rat Lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) in the Invasive Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Central Florida, USA

J Wildl Dis. 2022 Apr 1;58(2):454-456. doi: 10.7589/JWD-D-21-00140.

Authors

Ellis C Chase¹, Robert J Ossiboff¹, Terence M Farrell², April L Childress¹, Kelsey Lykins¹, Steve A Johnson³, Nina Thompson¹, Heather D S Walden¹

Affiliations

¹ University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 100123, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
² Stetson University, Department of Biology, 421 N Woodland Avenue, DeLand, Florida 33177, USA.
³ University of Florida, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, PO Box 110430, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.

PMID: 35100414
DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-21-00140

Abstract

Cuban treefrogs, Osteopilus septentrionalis, were grossly examined for parasites and parasite species confirmed by PCR. Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae were recovered from the hind leg muscle of O. septentrionalis. This is the first report of the zoonotic rat lungworm in the Cuban treefrog and new geographic location (Volusia County) in Florida, US.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Angiostrongylus cantonensis* / genetics
Animals
Anura
Florida / epidemiology
Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
Rats
Rodent Diseases* / parasitology
Strongylida Infections* / epidemiology
Strongylida Infections* / parasitology
Strongylida Infections* / veterinary