Insights into the genetic diversity of spp. causing human angiostrongyliasis and implications for molecular identification and diagnosis.

and are known human pathogens responsible for eosinophilic angiostrongyliasis and abdominal angiostrongyliasis, respectively. Humans are accidental hosts, where infection occurs through the consumption of the infective larva stage 3 in intermediate or paratenic hosts. The proven method for abdominal angiostrongyliasis diagnosis is the histological examination through tissue biopsy, while the diagnosis of eosinophilic angiostrongyliasis is the detection of larva in the cerebrospinal fluid. As there is molecular evidence of cryptic species within and lineages, along with morphological similarities within both lineages, accurate species identification and disease diagnosis may be challenging. Moreover, species within the lineages share similar intermediate and definitive hosts and geographic distribution. For example, both and (a closely related species in lineage) overlap in their geographic distribution in Southeast Asia. Additionally, variations in the molecular makeup of and lineages may impact the pathogenicity, infectivity, and disease severity of angiostrongyliasis. Understanding of the genetic diversity of both lineages is a cornerstone for improved diagnosis and disease intervention, especially in a changing global environment. To shed light and provide insights into the genetic diversity of the lineages causing human angiostrongyliasis, we aim to present an up-to-date review of the studies conducted and genetic markers used for and lineages. The implications for accurate molecular identification and diagnosis of human angiostrongyliasis are also discussed.