infectious diseases
Paragonimiasis
Introduction
Paragonimiasis is infection with the lung flukeParagonimus westermaniand related species. Humans are infected by eating raw, pickled, or poorly cooked freshwater crustaceans. Most infections are asymptomatic, but pulmonary symptoms may occur, including chronic cough, chest pain, dyspnea, and hemoptysis. Allergic skin reactions and central nervous system abnormalities due to ectopic flukes, including seizures, aphasia, paresis, and visual disturbances, can also occur. Diagnosis is by identifying eggs in sputum, stool, or pleural or peritoneal fluid. Serologic tests are also available.Praziquantelis the treatment of choice. Flukes are parasitic flatworms that infect various parts of the body (eg, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, liver) depending on the species. Although>30 species ofParagonimusexist and 10 have been reported to infect humans,P. westermaniis the most frequent cause of disease. Themost important endemic areasare in Asia, principally Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the highlands of China, and the Philippines. Endemic foci with otherParagonimusspecies exist in West Africa and in parts of South and Central America.P. kellicottihas caused human infection in North America. See also theWorld Health Organization (WHO)andCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)information on paragonimiasis. 