Publication: Pulmonary Paragonimiasis: A Case Series
Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Medical Association
Abstract
Abstract
Paragonimiasis contributes to significant foodborne zoonosis worldwide. The major mode of transmission in humans is by consumption of uncooked or undercooked crabs and crayfish harbouring Paragonimus metacercariae. It begins with symptoms like fever and lower respiratory involvement from a few months to a year, mimicking those of tuberculosis and leading to diagnostic delay. Here, we report two cases of paragonimiasis during a period of nine months. Both cases presented with symptoms of productive cough with rusty sputum, chest pain, along with eosinophilia, and pleural effusion and had a history of consumption of smoked crab from the local river. The diagnosis was established by microscopic demonstration of Paragonimus ova in the sputum. They were treated with praziquantel and recovered. Indeed, it is challenging to diagnose paragonimiasis due to the lack of its specific symptoms but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilia and pleural effusion in such lung diseases.
Description
Pratima Shah
Department of Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Sunsari, Nepal
Rinku Sah
Department of Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Sunsari, Nepal
Saugat Pradhan
Department of Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Sunsari, Nepal
Priyanka Bhandari
Department of Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Sunsari, Nepal
Ratna Baral
Department of Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Sunsari, Nepal
Basudha Khanal
Department of Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Sunsari, Nepal
Robin Maskey
Department of Internal Medicine, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Sunsari, Nepal
Narayan Raj Bhattarai
Department of Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Sunsari, Nepal
Keywords
Case reports, Eosinophilia, Paragonimiasis, Pleural effusion