Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a parasitic nematode that is found in the pulmonary arteries of rats. It is a small, white worm with a pointed head and a long, slender body. It is typically 0.5-1.0 mm in length. It is found in tropical and subtropical regions, and its lifespan is approximately 2-3 weeks. Its current population is estimated to be in the millions.
Name Origin: The name Angiostrongylus cantonensis was first used in 1935 by a Chinese parasitologist, Dr. T.C. Cheng, to describe a species of parasitic nematode. The genus name, Angiostrongylus, is derived from the Greek words "angio" meaning "vessel" and "strongylus" meaning "roundworm". The species name, cantonensis, is derived from the city of Canton (now known as Guangzhou) in China, where the organism was first discovered.
Related Species: Angiostrongylus costaricensis, Angiostrongylus malaysiensis, Angiostrongylus mackerrasae, Angiostrongylus vasorum