Objective: To investigate the species distribution and infection status of host snails of Angiostongylus cantonensis in Shanghai.
Methods: From August 2012 to October 2014, 10 districts or counties were selected for this investigation in Shanghai, including Jiading, Qingpu, Putuo, Baoshan, Yangpu, Minhang, Songjiang, Jinshan, Chongming, and Pudong. All of the snails were examined by lung-microscopy and tissue homogenate methods.
Results: Totally 1074 snail samples were identified, belonging to 8 families, 10 species, including Pomacea canaliculata (133), Achatina fulica (25), Cipangopaludina chinensis (183), Bellamya aeruginosa (78), Physa acuta (349), Radix swinhoei (224), Bradybaena similaris (45), B. ravida sieboldiana (32), Limax flavus (2), and Philomycus bilineatus (3). A. fulica was sold in market, and was not found in the field. The natural population of P. canaliculata was found in the field in Jinze Town of Qingpu District. A. cantonensis larvae were not detected.
Conclusion: No snails were found to be infected with A. cantonensis in Shanghai. Attention needs to be paid to the monitoring of P. canaliculata.