Rat Lungworm Disease

<p>The pathogenic nematode <em>Angiostrongylus cantonensis</em> is a leading global causative agent of eosinophilic meningitis in humans and other species. Clinically this disease is known as neuroangiostrongyliasis but is colloquially recognized as rat lungworm disease. This disease has resulted in morbidity and mortality in humans and other accidental hosts and the geographic range of this pathogen continues to increase through global expansion. The first five studies in this reprint provide updates on recent global research efforts and distribution including studies from India Brazil Ecuador reports of coinfections in Spain and the genetic-based determination of global spread patterns of <em>A. cantonensis</em>. The other six studies evaluate potential mechanisms for prevention such as creating barriers to decrease the mollusk infestation of crops; disease diagnostics applying both DNA and antibody-based methods; and current approaches to the pharmacological management of this disease using a multi-drug approach in humans as well as investigating the effects on <em>A. cantonensis</em> of a commercially available antiparasitic currently used for controlling heartworm fleas and ticks in dogs. Guest Editor Susan I. Jarvi is a Professor in the department of Pharmaceutical Sciences where she teaches Pharmaceutical Immunology and other infectious disease-related subjects at the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaii in Hilo HI.</p>