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Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2017We report the case of a 15-year-old Burmese girl who presented with hemoptysis 3 years after immigrating to Australia with a background of previously treated pulmonary...
We report the case of a 15-year-old Burmese girl who presented with hemoptysis 3 years after immigrating to Australia with a background of previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis at 6 years of age. Cavitation in the right upper lobe had originally been identified on her baseline chest radiograph following arrival to Australia; extensive investigations were conducted thereafter to exclude causes of cavitary lung disease; these were negative. was finally diagnosed on serological grounds 3 years after this child's original presentation, with subsequent identification of in sputum and in stool. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of Paragonimiasis in children who have traveled to or originate from endemic countries who present with a clinically compatible illness. Treatment is simple and effective. Failure to consider this pathogen early may result in unnecessary investigative workup and delayed diagnosis.
PubMed: 29308402
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofx224 -
Lung India : Official Organ of Indian... 2016Human infection by the lung fluke Paragonimus westermani is widely distributed in Africa, Asia, and South America. Transmission of the parasite to humans primarily...
BACKGROUND
Human infection by the lung fluke Paragonimus westermani is widely distributed in Africa, Asia, and South America. Transmission of the parasite to humans primarily occurs through the consumption of raw or undercooked crabs. Clinical features of recently diagnosed pulmonary Paragonimiasis show that patients present with a variety of clinical and radiological findings, frequently mimics tuberculosis and lung cancer.
METHODS
Here in this study, we report a cross-sectional study of pulmonary paragonimiasis in our institute over a period of two year.
RESULTS
it was observed that out of eleven cases, prevalence of paragonimiasis was almost equal among both the genders, with a mean age of 38.1 ± 16.96, affecting people from hills. Three patients were erroneously treated with antitubercular drugs without any relief. The association with eosinophilia in the peripheral blood and tissue[16] was seen in all the study subjects and majority patients had pleural fluid eosinophilia. Patients were diagnosed by serological test, Paragonimus ova in Sputum smear and Pleural fluid. All study subjects had excellent clinical responses to praziquantel given at dose of 25 mg/kg given orally 3 times daily for 3 consecutive days.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a need to generate awareness among the clinicians and public regarding Paragonimiasis and to consider it in differential diagnosis of TB and carcinoma lung. Physicians should consider the possibility of paragonimiasis among patients who present with chest complaints with eosinophilia from the endemic regions.
PubMed: 27051099
DOI: 10.4103/0970-2113.177436 -
Journal of Helminthology Nov 2016Conventional identification of Paragonimus species and their natural definitive hosts is based on the morphological features of adult parasites isolated from the lungs...
Conventional identification of Paragonimus species and their natural definitive hosts is based on the morphological features of adult parasites isolated from the lungs of wild mammalian hosts. However, wild animals are protected by strict regulations and sampling is not always possible. Recently, molecular techniques have been developed to identify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of Paragonimus eggs in faeces/sputum of human patients. Also, mammalian hosts can be identified using the D-loop sequence of mitochondrial DNA in faecal samples. In this study, we used molecular techniques on faeces from wild animals collected in Da Krong Nature Reserve, Quang Tri province, central Vietnam, where Paragonimus metacercariae are highly prevalent in mountain crabs, to identify Paragonimus species and their natural definitive hosts. The results indicated that wild cats, Prionailurus bengalensis, were infected with at least three different Paragonimus species, P. westermani, P. skrjabini and P. heterotremus. Because all of these species can infect humans in Asian countries, human paragonimiasis should be considered in this area.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; DNA, Helminth; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Feces; Felidae; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus; Vietnam
PubMed: 26388560
DOI: 10.1017/S0022149X15000838 -
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases Oct 2014Here, we report a case of pulmonary paragonimiasis that was improved with initial anti-tuberculosis (TB) therapy but confused with reactivated pulmonary TB. A...
Here, we report a case of pulmonary paragonimiasis that was improved with initial anti-tuberculosis (TB) therapy but confused with reactivated pulmonary TB. A 53-year-old Chinese female presented with a persistent productive cough with foul smelling phlegm and blood streaked sputum. Radiologic findings showed subpleural cavitary consolidation in the right upper lobe (RUL). Bronchoscopic and cytological examination showed no remarkable medical feature. She was diagnosed with smear-negative TB, and her radiologic findings improved after receiving a 6-month anti-TB therapy. The chest CT scans, however, obtained at 4 months after completion of anti-TB therapy showed a newly developed subpleural consolidation in the RUL. She refused pathologic confirmation and was re-treated with anti-TB medication. Nevertheless, her chest CT scans revealed newly developed cavitary nodules at 5 months after re-treatment. She underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection; the pathological examination reported that granuloma caused by Paragonimus westermani. Paragonimiasis should also be considered in patients assessed with smear-negative pulmonary TB.
PubMed: 25368664
DOI: 10.4046/trd.2014.77.4.178 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... Oct 2021To establish a nucleic acid assay for detection of based on the recombinase-aided isothermal amplification (RAA) technique, and to preliminarily evaluate its detection...
OBJECTIVE
To establish a nucleic acid assay for detection of based on the recombinase-aided isothermal amplification (RAA) technique, and to preliminarily evaluate its detection efficiency.
METHODS
The metacercariae of , and were isolated from crabs, and genomic DNA was extracted for molecular characterization. The cytochrome coxidase 1 () gene sequence of was selected as the target gene fragment, and the primers and probes were designed, screened and synthesized for RAA assay. The genomic DNA of metacercariae from Jiyuan City and Yiyang County of Luoyang City, Henan Province were used as templates for verification of the fluorescent RAA assay. The fluorescent RAA assay was performed to detect different concentrations of plasmids containing target gene fragment and metacercariae genomic DNA to determine the sensitivity. Fluorescent RAA assay was performed with recombinant plasmids containing gene sequences at different concentrations and genomic DNA as templates to evaluate its sensitivity, and the genomic DNA of , , and was detected with fluorescent RAA assay to evaluate its specificity.
RESULTS
, and metacercariae were isolated from crabs, respectively. Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis confirmed their homology with the genes sequences of standard strains in GenBank. A fluorescent RAA assay was successfully established for nucleic acid detection of , and the genomic DNA of metacercariae from Jiyuan City and Yiyang County of Luoyang City, Henan Province was amplified using the fluorescent RAA assay within 5 min, while the negative control was not amplified. If the recombinant plasmid containing gene sequences was used as templates, the fluorescent RAA assay showed the lowest detection limit of 10 copies/μL, and positive amplification was observed within 5 min. If genomic DNA was used as templates, the fluorescent RAA assay showed the lowest detection limit of 10 pg/μL, and all positive amplifications were found within 5 to 10 min. In addition, the fluorescent RAA assay was tested negative for , , and .
CONCLUSIONS
A rapid, sensitive and specific fluorescent RAA assay is successfully established for nucleic acid detection of , which has potential values in rapid field detection and species identification in freshwater crabs in areas endemic for .
Topics: Animals; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Nucleic Acids; Phylogeny; Recombinases; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 34791843
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2021218 -
Parasites & Vectors May 2018Paragonimus heterotremus is the main causative agent of paragonimiasis in Thailand. In Western blot diagnostic assays for paragonimiasis, the 35 kDa band present in...
BACKGROUND
Paragonimus heterotremus is the main causative agent of paragonimiasis in Thailand. In Western blot diagnostic assays for paragonimiasis, the 35 kDa band present in crude P. heterotremus somatic extracts represents one of the known diagnostic bands. This study aimed to use a P. heterotremus cDNA library to create a recombinant version of this antigen for use in immunodiagnosis of paragonimiasis.
METHODS
To accomplish this aim a cDNA expression library was constructed from adult worm mRNA and immuno-screened using antibodies from mice that had been immunized with the 35 kDa antigen. Screening resulted in the identification of an immunoreactive protein encoded by clone CE3, which contained an inserted sequence composed of 1292 base pairs. This clone was selected for use in the construction of a recombinant P. heterotremus protein because of its similarity to proactivator polypeptide. For recombinant protein expression, the CE3 gene sequence was inserted into the plasmid vector pRset and the resulting product had the expected molecular weight of 35 kDa. An IgG-ELISA based on the CE3 recombinant protein was evaluated by using sera from healthy individuals, from patients with paragonimiasis and other parasitic infections. This ELISA was performed by using human sera diluted at 1:2000, an optimized antigen concentration of 1 μg/ml, and anti-human IgG diluted at 1:4000.
RESULTS
The cut-off optical density value was set as the mean + 2 standard deviations (0.54), which resulted in the test having a sensitivity of 88.89% and a specificity of 95.51%. The recombinant antigen could react with antibodies from P. heterotremus, P. pseudoheterotremus and P. westermani infections. Cross-reactivity occurred with a few cases of Blastocystis hominis infection (2/3), Bancroftian filariasis (1/10), opisthorchiasis (3/10), strongyloidiasis (4/10) and neurocysticercosis (1/11).
CONCLUSIONS
Given the high test sensitivity and specificity, reflected in the low level of heterologous infection cross-reactivity (11/215 serum samples), observed in the IgG-ELISA, this 35 kDa antigen may be useful for the detection of paragonimiasis.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Helminth; Antigens, Helminth; Cross Reactions; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus; Recombinant Proteins; Sensitivity and Specificity; Serologic Tests
PubMed: 29843786
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2878-5 -
BMC Pediatrics Nov 2017Paragonimiasis, particularly hepatic paragonimiasis (HP), is a type of zoonotic parasitic disease rarely encountered in infants. There have been only a few reports of...
BACKGROUND
Paragonimiasis, particularly hepatic paragonimiasis (HP), is a type of zoonotic parasitic disease rarely encountered in infants. There have been only a few reports of HP, and no case of HP has been reported in an infant.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 15-month-old girl presented with persistent mild fever with a duration of 1 month, hepatomegaly, and low-density lesions in the right hepatic lobe on abdominal ultrasound and computer tomography. Pathological examination and serum antibody detection were performed to verify HP. The diagnosis of HP was established based on findings of Charcot-Leyden crystals on liver lesion biopsy and antibodies against paragonimus westermani detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After initiation of praziquantel (75 mg/kg/day for 3 days), all clinical findings promptly improved and the patient was discharged.
CONCLUSION
It is very important to consider paragonimiasis in the clinical examination of infants from an area with paragonimiasis epidemic presenting with fever, hepatomegaly, low-density lesions in the liver.
Topics: Female; Humans; Infant; Liver Diseases, Parasitic; Paragonimiasis
PubMed: 29141594
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-017-0942-5 -
Parasitology International Oct 2016Although observing the eggs of human parasitic helminth is essential for medical education in parasitology, opportunities for collection of the eggs are limited....
Although observing the eggs of human parasitic helminth is essential for medical education in parasitology, opportunities for collection of the eggs are limited. Collection of the eggs using experimental animal models is needed for a sustainable supply. The metacercariae of three trematode species, Paragonimus westermani, Clonorchis sinensis and Metagonimus yokogawai, were collected from the second intermediate hosts: freshwater crabs and fishes, which were obtained using online shopping in Japan, and inoculated to experimental animal rat and dog. Consequently, eggs of the three trematode species were obtained abundantly from the feces of the animals. The eggs are being used for student training in several Japanese universities. In this article, we introduce the collection procedures for trematode eggs.
PubMed: 26792074
DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2016.01.006 -
PloS One 2017MF6p/FhHDM-1 is a small cationic heme-binding protein which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody (mAb) MF6, and abundantly present in parenchymal cells and secreted...
MF6p/FhHDM-1 is a small cationic heme-binding protein which is recognized by the monoclonal antibody (mAb) MF6, and abundantly present in parenchymal cells and secreted antigens of Fasciola hepatica. Orthologs of this protein (MF6p/HDMs) also exist in other causal agents of important foodborne trematodiasis, such as Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini and Paragonimus westermani. Considering that MF6p/FhHDM-1 is relevant for heme homeostasis in Fasciola and was reported to have immunomodulatory properties, this protein is expected to be a useful target for vaccination. Thus, in this study we mapped the epitope recognized by mAb MF6 and evaluated its antigenicity in sheep. The sequence of the MF6p/FhHDM-1 ortholog from F. gigantica (MF6p/FgHDM-1) was also reported. By means of ELISA inhibitions with overlapping synthetic peptides, we determined that the epitope recognized by mAb MF6 is located within the C-terminal moiety of MF6p/FhHDM-1, which is the most conserved region of MF6p/HDMs. By immunoblotting analysis of parasite extracts and ELISA inhibitions with synthetic peptides we also determined that mAb MF6 reacted with the same intensity with F. hepatica and F. gigantica, and in decreasing order of intensity with C. sinensis, O.viverrini and P. westermani orthologs. On the contrary, mAb MF6 showed no reactivity against Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Schistosoma mansoni. The study of the recognition of peptides covering different regions of MF6p/FhHDM-1 by sera from immunized sheep revealed that the C-terminal moiety is the most antigenic, thus being of potential interest for vaccination. We also demonstrated that the production of antibodies to MF6p/FhHDM-1 in sheep infected by F. hepatica occurs relatively early and follows the same pattern as those produced against L-cathepsins.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Helminth; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Helminth; Carrier Proteins; Dendrites; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Epitope Mapping; Epitopes; Fasciola hepatica; Fascioliasis; Heme; Heme-Binding Proteins; Hemeproteins; Protein Conformation; Sheep; Vaccination
PubMed: 29161330
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188520 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Jun 2017During civil engineering construction near Sejong-ro, Jongro-ku, Seoul, cultural sites were found that are thought to have been built in the 15th century. This area was...
During civil engineering construction near Sejong-ro, Jongro-ku, Seoul, cultural sites were found that are thought to have been built in the 15th century. This area was home to many different people as well as the leaders of the Yi dynasty. To gain further insight into the life styles of the inhabitants of the old capital, soil samples were collected from various areas such as toilets, water foundations, and drainage ways. Parasite eggs were examined by microscopy after 5 g soil samples were rehydrated in 0.5% trisodium phosphate solution. A total of 662 parasite eggs from 7 species were found. Species with the highest number of eggs found were (n=483), followed by (138), (21), (8), (6), (4), and (2). These findings indirectly indicate the food habits of the people in Yi dynasty.
Topics: Animals; Archaeology; Ascaris lumbricoides; Clonorchis sinensis; Fasciola hepatica; Feeding Behavior; Heterophyidae; History, 15th Century; Humans; Life Style; Paragonimus westermani; Parasite Egg Count; Parasitology; Republic of Korea; Soil; Trichuris
PubMed: 28719964
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.3.357