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Parasitology International Apr 2021We encountered an outbreak of paragonimiasis among Cambodian technical intern trainees (TITs) at a food-processing factory in Fukuoka, Japan. The patients were...
We encountered an outbreak of paragonimiasis among Cambodian technical intern trainees (TITs) at a food-processing factory in Fukuoka, Japan. The patients were 20-28 years old, seven females and two males, who had been in Japan for one to four years. All of them had consumed raw or undercooked Japanese mitten crab they purchased at a local grocery store near their training place. CT images showed multiple lesions not only in the lungs but in the extrapulmonary organs as well, such as subcutaneous tissues, abdominal muscles, and mesentery, in most of the patients. Their medical records indicated that all of them acquired infection in Japan, not in Cambodia. Diagnosis was made serologically and the patients were treated with praziquantel successfully. Foreign workers and TITs are increasing in Japan so rapidly, that food borne-infections, including paragonimiasis, should be considered in people from developing countries who have exotic dietary habits.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Cambodia; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Humans; Japan; Lung; Lung Diseases, Parasitic; Male; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus westermani; Young Adult
PubMed: 33388385
DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102279 -
The Journal of Infection Jan 2021Paragonimiasis is a global foodborne zoonosis. Overlapping clinical and imaging features with other lung pathologies hamper correct diagnosis and require differential...
OBJECTIVES
Paragonimiasis is a global foodborne zoonosis. Overlapping clinical and imaging features with other lung pathologies hamper correct diagnosis and require differential diagnosis.
METHODS
During 1982-2003, 49,012 samples were referred for immunodiagnosis of helminthiases. We detected paragonimiasis cases by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We assessed clinical, radiographical and laboratory characteristics, and diagnostic dilemmas associated with delayed diagnosis.
RESULTS
We analyzed 685 pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis cases. ELISA-positive was 665. Eggs were detected in 50. Symptom duration correlated well with the appearance of chest radiographs; 359 pleural, 33 pleuroparenchymal, and 264 parenchymal lesions (P < 0.001). Twenty-nine had normal chest images. Eosinophilia, seen in 304, was common in pleural and pleuroparenchymal patients (P < 0.05). Chest pain and dyspnea were characteristic for pleurisy patients. Sputum (odds ratios [OR]: 6.79; 95% CI: 4.41-10.47), blood-tinged sputum (OR: 5.62; 95% CI: 3.75-8.42), and foul-odor (OR: 2.70; 95% CI: 1.42-5.16) were significant in parenchymal patients. Delayed diagnosis (119) for ≥ 25 weeks was attributed mainly to misdiagnosis as tuberculosis, malignancy, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR: 111.75; 95% CI: 43.25-288.74).
CONCLUSIONS
Variable symptoms and radiographs of pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis depended on the stage of infection. Suspicion of tuberculosis, malignancy, or COPD was major cause of delayed diagnosis.
Topics: Eosinophilia; Humans; Paragonimiasis; Pleura; Sputum; Tuberculosis
PubMed: 33017628
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.09.037 -
Helminthologia Sep 2020(), one of 46 species registered in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, may be much more widely distributed in Southeast Asia than previously...
(), one of 46 species registered in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, may be much more widely distributed in Southeast Asia than previously thought, as its reported natural foci have increased in the past decades. However, very little is known about its molecular biology, especially at the transcriptome level. For the first time, the transcriptome of this species was sequenced and compared with four other common species, namely , , , and , to predict homologous genes and differentially expressed homologous genes to explore interspecies differences of . A total of 7393 genes were found to be significantly differentially expressed. Of these, 49 were considered to be core genes because they were differentially expressed in all four comparison groups. Annotations revealed that these genes were related mainly to "duplication, transcription, or translation", energy or nutrient metabolism, and parasitic growth, proliferation, motility, invasion, adaptation to the host, or virulence. Interestingly, a majority (5601/7393) of the identified genes, and in particular the core genes (48/49), were expressed at lower levels in . The identified genes may play essential roles in the biological differences between species. This work provides fundamental background information for further research into the molecular biology of .
PubMed: 32855607
DOI: 10.2478/helm-2020-0029 -
GigaScience Jul 2020Paragonimus spp. (lung flukes) are among the most injurious foodborne helminths, infecting ∼23 million people and subjecting ∼292 million to infection risk....
BACKGROUND
Paragonimus spp. (lung flukes) are among the most injurious foodborne helminths, infecting ∼23 million people and subjecting ∼292 million to infection risk. Paragonimiasis is acquired from infected undercooked crustaceans and primarily affects the lungs but often causes lesions elsewhere including the brain. The disease is easily mistaken for tuberculosis owing to similar pulmonary symptoms, and accordingly, diagnostics are in demand.
RESULTS
We assembled, annotated, and compared draft genomes of 4 prevalent and distinct Paragonimus species: Paragonimus miyazakii, Paragonimus westermani, Paragonimus kellicotti, and Paragonimus heterotremus. Genomes ranged from 697 to 923 Mb, included 12,072-12,853 genes, and were 71.6-90.1% complete according to BUSCO. Orthologous group analysis spanning 21 species (lung, liver, and blood flukes, additional platyhelminths, and hosts) provided insights into lung fluke biology. We identified 256 lung fluke-specific and conserved orthologous groups with consistent transcriptional adult-stage Paragonimus expression profiles and enriched for iron acquisition, immune modulation, and other parasite functions. Previously identified Paragonimus diagnostic antigens were matched to genes, providing an opportunity to optimize and ensure pan-Paragonimus reactivity for diagnostic assays.
CONCLUSIONS
This report provides advances in molecular understanding of Paragonimus and underpins future studies into the biology, evolution, and pathogenesis of Paragonimus and related foodborne flukes. We anticipate that these novel genomic and transcriptomic resources will be invaluable for future lung fluke research.
Topics: Animals; Computational Biology; Disease Susceptibility; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Ontology; Genomics; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Molecular Sequence Annotation; Multigene Family; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus; Phylogeny; Transcriptome
PubMed: 32687148
DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giaa073 -
International Journal of Infectious... Aug 2020Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an emerging method with the potential of pan-pathogen screening. This study described a case of eosinophilic meningitis (EoM) with...
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an emerging method with the potential of pan-pathogen screening. This study described a case of eosinophilic meningitis (EoM) with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-negative results for Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis), Trichinella spiralis and Paragonimus westermani and a positive identification of A. cantonensis by NGS in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Topics: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Animals; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Eosinophilia; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Male; Meningitis; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 32502661
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.05.108 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... Mar 2020To establish a rapid nucleic acid detection technique for identification of based on the recombinase aided isothermal amplification assay (RAA) and assess its...
OBJECTIVE
To establish a rapid nucleic acid detection technique for identification of based on the recombinase aided isothermal amplification assay (RAA) and assess its diagnostic efficiency.
METHODS
The mitochondrial gene sequence of (GenBank accession number: AB018440) was used as a target sequence. The primers were designed according to the RAA reaction principle and synthesized, and RAA was performed using the generated primers. genomic DNA at various concentrations and the pMD19-T (Simple) vector containing various copies of the target gene fragment were amplified using RAA to evaluate its sensitivity for detection of , and RAA was em- ployed to detect the genomic DNA of G1 genotype, , , , , , , , , , and to evaluate its specificity. In addition, the optimized RAA was employed to detect nine tissue specimens of -infected animals, 3 fecal samples from -infected dogs and 2 fecal samples from field infected dogs to examine its reliability and feasibility.
RESULTS
The established RAA was able to detect the specific target gene fragment of within 40 min. The lowest detect limit of RAA was 10 pg if genomic DNA served as a template. If the re- combinant plasmid was used as a template, the minimally detectable copy number of RAA was 104. In addition, RAA was nega- tive for the genomic DNA of G1 genotype, , , , , , , , , , and . The established RAA was positive for detection of the tissue specimens of infected animals, and simulated and field dog stool samples.
CONCLUSIONS
A rapid, sensitive and specific RAA is established, which shows promising values in identification of and gene diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis.
Topics: Animals; DNA Primers; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Echinococcosis; Echinococcus multilocularis; Feces; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Recombinases; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 32458606
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2019284 -
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) Aug 2020An asymptomatic 47-year-old woman was admitted with pleural effusion and pulmonary infiltrates 1 month after ingesting raw wild boar and deer meat. Both her blood and...
An asymptomatic 47-year-old woman was admitted with pleural effusion and pulmonary infiltrates 1 month after ingesting raw wild boar and deer meat. Both her blood and pleural fluid were eosinophilic. Thoracoscopy revealed multiple nodules of the pleura, and biopsy samples of the nodules showed necrosis with epithelioid cell granulomas. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was positive for antibodies against Paragonimus westermani, and the patient was successfully treated with praziquantel. This is the first reported case of pulmonary or pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis where several pleural nodules were observed. The detection of pleural nodules on thoracoscopy can contribute to the prompt and accurate diagnosis of paragonimiasis.
Topics: Animals; Deer; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Meat; Middle Aged; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus westermani; Pleura; Pleural Effusion; Praziquantel; Respiratory Tract Infections; Sus scrofa; Thoracoscopy
PubMed: 32350198
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.4457-20 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... Jan 2020To compare the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of two phenotypes of isolated from Fujian Province with different sizes of metacercariae, and perform a...
OBJECTIVE
To compare the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of two phenotypes of isolated from Fujian Province with different sizes of metacercariae, and perform a phylogenetic analysis of various geographical isolates of from Asia, so as to identify the possible genetic characteristics associated with the phenotypes.
METHODS
metacercariae with different sizes (large metacercariae, 380-420 μm in diameter; small metacercariae, 320-340 μm) isolated from freshwater crabs were used to infect dogs, and the eggs and adult worms of were collected from the dog stool samples and lung tissues. Then, the egg size and morphology were compared. In addition, genomic DNA was extracted from the adult worms of the two phenotypes of and used for the PCR amplification to yield the complete mitochondrial genome sequence. Sequence structure and phylogenetic analyses were performed based on the complete mitochondrial genome of .
RESULTS
Following infection with large and small metacercariae, the adult worms recovered from the dog lung had a thick body, and had oral and ventral suckers. The ventral sucker was located slightly in front of the midline of the body, and testes, ovary and vitelline gland were seen in the adult worms. Following fixation, the adults appeared oval, with an approximately 1.7∶1 of the length-width ratio. The length and width of the eggs isolated from the fecal samples of dogs infected with large and small metacercariae varied significantly, and the large metacercariae produced bigger eggs than the smaller metacercariae. Based on the morphological features of adults and eggs and the sequences, both phenotypes were identified as . The complete mitochondrial genome sequence analysis of adults showed almost consistent sequences in the protein-coding region of the mitochondrial genome of adult worms derived from large and small metacercariae, with a major variation seen in the former non-coding region. Sliding window analysis revealed the most polymorphic region within the gene across the mitochondrial genome from various geographical isolates of , and phylogenetic analysis showed that both phenotypes were clustered into the Chinese branch of , which was close to the Japanese branch and distinct from the South/Southeast Asian branch.
CONCLUSIONS
The genetic distance between the phenotypes of isolated from Fujian Province is near at a mitochondrial genome level, with no remarkable genetic differentiation seen; however, the mutation and structural changes in the non-coding region may result in the phenotypic variations. In addition, there is a distinct variation of the evolutionary rate in the mitochondrial coding genes, suggesting the selection of appropriate molecular markers during the phylogenic researches.
Topics: Animals; Asia; China; DNA, Helminth; Dogs; Female; Genome, Mitochondrial; Paragonimus westermani; Phylogeny
PubMed: 32185925
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2019238 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases Dec 2019Paragonimiasis is a food-borne parasitic infection caused by lung flukes of the genus . Although the most common site of infection is the pleuropulmonary area, the...
BACKGROUND
Paragonimiasis is a food-borne parasitic infection caused by lung flukes of the genus . Although the most common site of infection is the pleuropulmonary area, the parasite can also reach other parts of the body on its journey from the intestines to the lungs, ending up in locations such as the brain, abdomen, skin, and subcutaneous tissues. Ectopic paragonimiasis is difficult to diagnose due to the rarity of this disease.
CASE SUMMARY
Here, we report a rare case of simultaneous breast and pulmonary paragonimiasis in a woman presenting painless breast mass and lung nodule with a history of eating raw trout. To confirm the diagnosis, serologic testing and tissue confirmation of the breast mass were performed. The patient was treated with surgical resection of the mass and praziquantel medication.
CONCLUSION
Ectopic paragonimiasis is difficult to diagnose due to the rarity of this disease. Thus, thorough history-taking and clinical suspicion of parasitic infection are important.
PubMed: 31911910
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i24.4292 -
Acta Tropica Mar 2020Paragonimiasis, an important food-borne zoonosis, is caused by lung flukes of the genus Paragonimus. Several million people are actually infected or at risk....
Paragonimiasis, an important food-borne zoonosis, is caused by lung flukes of the genus Paragonimus. Several million people are actually infected or at risk. Paragonimiasis is a re-emerging disease in developing countries. Diagnosis of pulmonary paragonimiasis is made by finding eggs in sputa and/or fecal samples. Eggs are typically not found in ectopic paragonimiasis cases, so diagnosis depends on supportive information, such as a history of eating fresh water crabs or crayfishes, radiographic findings and immunological tests. Here, a new point-of-care-testing (POCT) tool is presented. It uses immunochromatography for serodiagnosis of human paragonimiasis using excretory-secretory antigen from Paragonimus heterotremus. It proved effective in diagnosing infections due to P. heterotremus, and was also successfully diagnosed with sera from infections with P. westermani and P. miyazakii. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and accuracy were 97.9%, 87.6%, 78%, 98.9%, and 90.8%, respectively. The developed POCT tool is rapid and simple to use not only for clinical diagnosis of paragonimiasis at the bedside or at well-equipped laboratories, but also at local and remote hospitals with limited facilities. Moreover, the POCT tool could be applied for epidemiological surveys of paragonimaisis in Asia where P. heterotremus, P. westermani and P. miyazakii are endemic.
Topics: Animals; Chromatography, Affinity; Gerbillinae; Humans; Male; Paragonimiasis; Point-of-Care Testing; Serologic Tests
PubMed: 31891708
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105325