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. 2022 Mar 24;149(7):1-23.
doi: 10.1017/S0031182022000336. Online ahead of print.

Endemic lizard Gallotia galloti is a paratenic host of invasive Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Tenerife, Spain

Lucia Anettová  1 , Elena Izquierdo-Rodriguez  2   3 , Pilar Foronda  2   3 , Vojtech Baláž  4   5 , Ladislav Novotný  6   7 , David Modrý  1   5   8
Affiliations

Endemic lizard Gallotia galloti is a paratenic host of invasive Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Tenerife, Spain

Lucia Anettová et al. Parasitology. .

Abstract

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an invasive zoonotic nematode which causes eosinophilic meningitis in accidental hosts – vertebrates including humans – and is known to impact wildlife. Even though the parasite originates in Southeast Asia, it has spread worldwide, especially into fragile island ecosystems. The Canary Islands are a biodiversity hot spot with numerous endemic species affected by biological invasions. Among others, Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus threaten many endemic species by predation and may spread invasive pathogens, such as the rat lungworm A. cantonensis, which was first described in Tenerife in 2010. Since it is known that lizards can act as paratenic hosts for A. cantonensis and Gallotia galloti is a lizard abundant in Tenerife, the aim of this study was to reveal the role of these endemic lizards in the parasite's life cycle. Gallotia galloti were captured in Tegueste, Tenerife, and after euthanasia, liver and tail muscle samples were examined for the presence of A. cantonensis. During microscopic examination, 8/36 liver samples (22.2%) contained granulomas with nematode larvae. In total, 10/39 liver samples (25.6%) and 7/36 tail muscle samples (19.4%) were positive for A. cantonensis DNA using qPCR. This is a first report of a reptile endemic to the Canary Islands acting as paratenic host of A. cantonensis. The fact that the parasite is obviously well-established in the island ecosystem and exploits endemic lizards as hosts may have important implications for the parasite's ecoepidemiology. Moreover, the parasite might threaten other species which depend on lizards in the island trophic web.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Sampling area, Tenerife, Canary Islands.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Metastrongylid larvae in the liver of G. galloti. Squashed preparation of the liver tissues (A, B); granuloma filled with inflammatory cells with visible cross-section through the larva (black arrow). Scale bars: 500 μm (A), 250 μm (B) and 50 μm (C).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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