Paragonimus
From IDWiki
Paragonimus
Background
- Species of trematode
- Also known as lung flukes
- Multiple species can infect humans, with different geographic distributions
| Species | Geographic Distribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paragonimus westermani | China, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, and India | By far the most common cause of disease in humans |
| Paragonimus heterotremus | Thailand, as well as India, southern China, and Vietnam | |
| Paragonimus skrjabini | Japan and China | Extrapulmonary disease more likely than with other species |
| Paragonimus africanus and Paragonimus uterobilateralis | Africa, particularly the rainforests of West and Central Africa | |
| Paragonimus mexicanus | Central and South America | |
| Paragonimus kellicotti | United States and Canada |
Diagnosis
- Microscopy for eggs in sputum
- Eggs occasionally found in stool
Treatment
- Praziquantel 25 mg/kg p.o. three times daily for 6 doses
- For cerebral disease, may need a short course of corticosteroids as well
- Second-line is triclabendazole 10 mg/kg q12h for 2 doses
