Paragonimus kellicotti (1)

Question 1

What is the common name?

Answer 1

Lung fluke

Question 2

What are the final hosts?

Answer 2

Dogs

Cats

Carnivores

Humans

Question 3

What are the intermediate hosts?

Answer 3

1st intermediate host: Snail

2nd intermediate host: Crayfish

Question 4

Describe adults

Answer 4

Ovoid

Up to 16 mm long

Reddish brown

Coffee beans

Spiny tegument

Found in cysts in pairs

Lung parenchyma

Question 5

Describe eggs

Answer 5

80-110 micro m long

Oval

Yellowish brown

Distinct operculum

Question 6

Explain the life cycle

Answer 6

Eggs found in pulmonary cyst, swallowed, pass in feces

Eggs reach water, miracidia emerge, penetrate snail

Cercariae emerge from the soil

Penetrate crayfish, form metacercariae

Dog or cat ingests crayfish

Juvenile cyst encysts in intestine, penetrates gut wall, migrates through peritoneal cavity, diaphragm, pleural cavity, penetrates lungs to mature in lung parenchyma

Pairs found in cysts

Adults develop in lungs

Adults long lived (1-4 years)

PPP: Dogs - 4-5 weeks
Cats - up to 10 weeks

Question 7

What is the site of infection?

Answer 7

Lung parenchyma

Question 8

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 8

Developing flukes cause formation of pulmonary cysts

Evident on thoracic radiographs

Clinical signs absent or mild with intermittent cough

Chronic, low grade cough and pneumonia can develop

Heavy infections

 - Dyspnea 
 - Lethargy
 - Death rare
 - Severe cough
 - Pneumonia

Question 9

How do you diagnose?

Answer 9

Radiographs reveal cysts

Sedimentation method for eggs

Question 10

How do you treat and prevent?

Answer 10

Praziquantel effective

Access to hosts difficult to prevent

Question 11

What is important about Paragonimus kellicotti?

Answer 11

It is ZOONOTIC