Insights into the biology of the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a parasitic nematode with a complex life cycle involving rats as definitive hosts and gastropods as intermediate hosts. The parasite can infect other organisms, including humans, in which it causes neuroangiostrongyliasis, a globally emerging but neglected disease. This primer reviews the biology of A. cantonensis including its life cycle and development in its natural, accidental, and paratenic hosts, as well as its expanding geographic distribution. It then considers recent advances in A. cantonensis research followed by exploring areas that are ripe for further investigation into this fascinating parasite.