New data on Malayometastrongylus diardinematus (Gibbons and Krishnasamy, 1986) (Metastrongyloidea: Angiostrongylidae) a lungworm occurring in Rattus tanezumi (Temminck, 1844) from South-East Asia

A survey of rodents from Luang Prabang Province (Lao PDR) in February 2010 and May 2012 allowed examining lungs of 95 rodents belonging to 7 different genera (Bandicota, Berylmys, Cannomys, Leopoldamys, Maxomys, Mus, Rattus). The helminth Malayometastrongylus diardinematus (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) was identified in Rattus tanezumi living in close contact with humans, being the first report after its original description in R. tanezumi from Malaysia. A molecular study using mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) of M. diardinematus placed the genus Malayometastrongylus in a separate clade in comparison with Angiostrongylus cantonensis (subgenus Parastrongylus) and other representatives of the genus, both present in rodents of South East Asia.