PARAGONIMIASIS

Question 1

Paragonimiasis IS ALSO KNOWN AS

Answer 1

Lung fluke/Japanese lung fluke

Question 2

• a lung fluke that infects the lungs of humans •eating an infected raw or undercooked crab
or crayfish

Answer 2

Paragonimiasis

Question 3

Paragonimiasis Etiologic agent

Answer 3

Paragonimus westermani

Question 4

Paragonimiasis: Intermediate hosts
Snail & Crab

Answer 4

1. Fresh water snail- antemelania asperata
2. Fresh water crab- varuna litterata

Question 5

Paragonimiasis Mode of transmission

Answer 5

Ingestion of raw or insufficiently cooked crabs.

Question 6

Paragonimiasis reservior host

Answer 6

cats, dogs, rats, pigs, wild and domestic animals

Question 7

Paragonimiasis Signs and symptoms

Answer 7

1. Cough of long duration
2. Hemoptysis
3. chest and back pain
4. PTB like signs (SOB) - not responding to TB meds

Question 8

Paragonimiasis DIAGNOSIS

Answer 8

Sputum Exam

Question 9

Paragonimiasis Treatment of choice

Answer 9

• Praziquantel (Biltricide) 250mg/kg 3x/day for 3 days
• alternative drug: Bithionol/Bitin 30-50mg for 10-15 doses

Question 10

Paragonimiasis Prevention and control

Answer 10

*Never eat raw freshwater crabs or crayfish.
*Cook crabs and crayfish for to at least 145 deg F/63C

Question 11

Paragonimiasis PATHOGENESIS

Answer 11

1. Ingestion of raw or uncooked crab or crayfish
2. Upon ingestion, the parasite penetrates the
   intestinal wall and enter the peritoneal cavity
3. Migration continues into the lungs, where the flukes establish themselves
4. In the lungs, the immature flukes form cysts within the pulmonary tissue
5. Inflammatory response
6. Cough and sputum production; hemoptysis; chest and back pain.