3^rd Edition of Infectious Diseases World Conference 2026

Abstract

Angiostrongyliasis in humans causes a range of symptoms from mild headache and myalgia to neurological complications, coma, and death. Infection is caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked intermediate or paratenic hosts infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis or via contaminated vegetables or water. We describe a cluster of cases involved in the shared meal of wild raw monitor lizards in the Lao PDR. Seven males, aged 22–36 years, reported headaches, abdominal pain, arthralgia, myalgia, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, neurological effects, and loss of appetite. Five were admitted to the hospital. The final diagnosis was made based on clinical presentation, case history, and a positive A. cantonensis PCR in two cases. All hospitalized patients recovered fully following supportive treatment. The remaining two individuals sought local home remedies and made a full recovery. While most published reports concern infections via the consumption of molluscs, few detailed reports exist on infections that result from the consumption of reptiles, and there is little awareness in Lao PDR. This case cluster, which originates from a single meal, highlights the potential public health risk of the consumption of raw and wild-caught meat in Lao PDR and the Southeast Asia region. Without specific diagnostics, clinical history and the consideration of recent food consumption are important when evaluating patients.