Observations placeholder
Snails cause hallucinations
Identifier
006472
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a parasitic nematode (roundworm) that causes Angiostrongyliasis, the most common cause of eosinophilic meningitis in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Basin. The nematode commonly resides in the pulmonary arteries of rats, giving it the nickname the rat lungworm. Snails are the primary intermediate hosts, where larvae develop until they are infective.
A description of the experience
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2011 Dec;23(6):687-90. [Investigation on outbreak of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis due to consumption of snail food in Dali City]. [Article in Chinese] Chen F, Chen SR, Li KR, Li TH, Fang W, Luo JJ
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential cause of an outbreak of eosinophilic meningitis in Dali City in March, 2011.
METHODS: A retrospective investigation was performed among 18 consumers who had meal together. The clinical documents of inpatients were analyzed and the diagnoses were checked. The outpatients were investigated through a case survey. Pomacea snails on sale were examined for the infection status of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
RESULTS: Of 18 persons, 16 consumed Pomacea snail food and 9 were infected with an infection rate of 56.3%. The two persons who did not consumed snail food were not infected. Serum samples of seven patients were examined for antibody to Angiostrongylus cantonensis in peripheral blood and 3 were proved positive (42.9%). The snails consumed by the patients came from the market, and the surveillance data showed that the infection rate of Angiostrongylus cantonensis of Pomacea snails was 7.3%.
CONCLUSION: According to the epidemiological survey, clinical manifestations, and laboratory examinations, the outbreak of eosinophilic meningitis is due to the consumption of Pomacea snails infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
PMID: 22379828