Can Slug Mucus Spread Parasites in Your Home? Health Risks Explained - Internal Medicine

Dr. Liao Zhongxin reply Internal Medicine

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The pathogen of Guangdong blood fluke infection is the Guangdong blood fluke.
In 1933, Mr.
Chen Xintao first discovered this parasite in the lungs (pulmonary arteries) of rats while investigating parasites in the black rat and brown rat in Guangdong Province, China.
In 1937, a Japanese researcher named Matsumoto also found this parasite in wild mice on the east coast of Taiwan in Hualien.
Infected rats excrete immature larvae (first-stage larvae) through their feces.
Snails and slugs become infected by consuming feces containing these larvae.
The larvae develop within the snails and slugs but do not mature into adult worms (third-stage larvae).
When rats consume infected snails, slugs, or food contaminated with their mucus, the parasites can develop into adults within the rat's body, where they mate and lay eggs, continuing the life cycle.
Humans are not suitable definitive hosts for the Guangdong blood fluke (rats are), and if the larvae mistakenly enter the human body, they cannot develop into adults but can reach the fifth-stage larvae (also known as juvenile adults).
The larvae migrate to the meninges and die, causing symptoms related to meningitis.
Transmission cycle:
1.
Definitive host: Rats.
2.
Intermediate hosts: Snails, freshwater snails (such as Pomacea canaliculata), and slugs.
3.
Paratenic or transport hosts: Freshwater shrimp, crabs, frogs, and planarians.
Characteristics of the infectious stage and transmission methods: The primary route of human infection with the Guangdong blood fluke is through the consumption of raw or undercooked infected snails, slugs, shrimp, crabs, frogs, or contaminated water or vegetables (which may be contaminated with mucus from infected snails containing third-stage larvae).
In some cultures or traditional practices, eating raw snails (or frogs) or using them in medicine has led to infections.
There are also reports of infected snails falling into wells, contaminating the water with third-stage larvae, leading to infections in those who drink the water.
Guangdong blood fluke infection is not transmitted from person to person.
Prevention methods:
1.
Do not eat raw snails, Pomacea canaliculata, or other wild animals such as frogs.
2.
When handling special ingredients like snails, wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly (cutting boards should also be cleaned).
3.
Cook mollusks and crustaceans (such as snails, slugs, freshwater shrimp, and crabs) by boiling for more than 3-5 minutes before consumption.
4.
Wash vegetables with tap water without adding salt or vinegar, and avoid eating raw vegetables as much as possible.
5.
In endemic areas, avoid eating raw vegetables or meats.
6.
Freezing meat at -15°C (5°F) for more than 24 hours can kill the larvae.
7.
Educate children not to touch snails, freshwater snails, and slugs, as they may carry larvae.
8.
Avoid keeping snails, frogs, rodents, lizards, and other animals as pets.
9.
Boil outdoor drinking water for 2-3 minutes.
10.
Control rodent populations.
From the above, it can be concluded that Guangdong blood fluke infection is not easily contracted, and cooking food or drinking water can effectively prevent it.

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Reply Date: 2023/05/19