Korean J Gastroenterol.  2005 Sep;46(3):242-246.

Familial Infestation of Paragonimus westermani with Peritonitis and Pleurisy

• Lee HJ
• Choi YW
• Kim SM
• Lee TH
• Im EH
• Huh KC
• Na MJ
• Kang YW

Abstract

Human paragonimiasis was endemic in Korea until the 1960's, and nowadays, the prevalence is decreasing. However, it is still one of the important helminthic diseases. Though it is essentially a pulmonary disorder, it may involve brain, muscle, mesentery, genital tract, pleura, peritoneum, spinal cord, spleen, and liver. We experienced two cases of paragonimiasis in a family who had ingested raw crabs together for 7 months. A 57-year-old female patient was admitted due to abdominal pain, diarrhea and tenesmus for 6 months. And, her 35-year-old son complained of cough, chest discomfort and dyspnea. The definite diagnosis for paragonimiasis could be made by the detection of the egg and adult worm from stool, sputum and involved lesion. Neither an egg or worm was detected. However, they were diagnosed based on the food history, laboratory data including serum eosinophilia, ELISA for specific IgG, pleural and peritoneal fluid examination, radiological findings, and intradermal tests. They were treated with praziquantel and their symptoms improved rapidly over 2 days. Both patients were asympromatic at a follow-up visit 2 months later.

Keyword

Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus westermani

MeSH Terms

Adult
Animals
Crustacea/parasitology
Family Health
Humans
Male
Paragonimiasis/complications/*diagnosis/transmission
*Paragonimus westermani
Peritonitis/*complications/diagnosis/parasitology
Pleurisy/*complications/diagnosis/parasitology
Shellfish/parasitology