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Clinical Microbiology Reviews Oct 2002Humans are hosts to nearly 300 species of parasitic worms and over 70 species of protozoa, some derived from our primate ancestors and some acquired from the animals we... (Review)
Review
Humans are hosts to nearly 300 species of parasitic worms and over 70 species of protozoa, some derived from our primate ancestors and some acquired from the animals we have domesticated or come in contact with during our relatively short history on Earth. Our knowledge of parasitic infections extends into antiquity, and descriptions of parasites and parasitic infections are found in the earliest writings and have been confirmed by the finding of parasites in archaeological material. The systematic study of parasites began with the rejection of the theory of spontaneous generation and the promulgation of the germ theory. Thereafter, the history of human parasitology proceeded along two lines, the discovery of a parasite and its subsequent association with disease and the recognition of a disease and the subsequent discovery that it was caused by a parasite. This review is concerned with the major helminth and protozoan infections of humans: ascariasis, trichinosis, strongyloidiasis, dracunculiasis, lymphatic filariasis, loasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, cestodiasis, paragonimiasis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, amoebiasis, giardiasis, African trypanosomiasis, South American trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, malaria, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, cyclosporiasis, and microsporidiosis.
Topics: Animals; Biological Evolution; Civilization; Emigration and Immigration; Eukaryota; Helminthiasis; Helminths; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, Ancient; Humans; Parasitology; Protozoan Infections
PubMed: 12364371
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.15.4.595-612.2002 -
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology Dec 2019Intraspinal paragonimiasis is a rare entity for which imaging findings have seldom been described. The present study investigated the MR imaging features of spinal...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Intraspinal paragonimiasis is a rare entity for which imaging findings have seldom been described. The present study investigated the MR imaging features of spinal paragonimiasis, thus providing diagnostic imaging evidence and exploring the possible pathogenesis of intraspinal paragonimiasis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The clinical and imaging findings of spinal paragonimiasis in 6 children were analyzed retrospectively. Spinal MR imaging was performed in all patients, 5 of whom also underwent enhanced MR imaging. The diagnosis was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in all cases and postoperative pathology in 4 cases.
RESULTS
All cases manifested as fusiform-shaped or beanlike masses in the extradural space in the thoracic spine. The extradural masses were connected with pleural lesions through the intervertebral foramen. The plain MR imaging scan showed mixed signals with predominant isointensity on T1WI and hyperintensity on T2WI, among which 5 (5/6) masses presented as patchy hemorrhage with hyperintensity on T1WI. On enhanced scans, all masses (5/5) showed heterogeneous marked enhancement, with thickening and enhancement in the adjacent spinal meninges (5/5). Various degrees of spinal cord compression and edema were found in 5 cases (5/6).
CONCLUSIONS
MR imaging is sensitive for detecting and characterizing spinal paragonimiasis. The MR imaging features of intraspinal granulomas included localization to the extradural space and thoracic segment, connections between intraspinal lesions and pleural lesions through the intervertebral foramen, and hemorrhagic foci within the mass. These findings support an intraspinal mode of paragonimiasis pathogenesis: The larvae migrate from the chest into the extradural space through the intervertebral foramen.
Topics: Child; Female; Granuloma; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Paragonimiasis; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Diseases; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 31727748
DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A6296 -
Parasitology Sep 2022The title of this article refers to Table 1 in Zhou (2022, Infectious diseases of poverty: progress achieved during the decade gone and perspectives for the future.... (Review)
Review
The title of this article refers to Table 1 in Zhou (2022, Infectious diseases of poverty: progress achieved during the decade gone and perspectives for the future. Infectious Diseases of Poverty 11, 1), in which it is indicated that species, like many other foodborne trematodes, are ancient pathogens that are also re-emerging to cause disease in modern times. This article provides a general overview of species and the disease they cause. This is followed by comments on several specific topics of current interest: taxonomy and distribution of members of the genus; details of the life cycle; global and regional prevalence of paragonimiasis; genomics of lung flukes and possible effects of global environmental change. Unresolved questions relating to these topics are discussed and gaps in knowledge identified.
Topics: Animals; Lung; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus; Prevalence
PubMed: 35292126
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182022000300 -
Infection & Chemotherapy Mar 2013Status and emerging issues in the use of praziquantel for treatment of human trematode and cestode infections are briefly reviewed. Since praziquantel was first... (Review)
Review
Status and emerging issues in the use of praziquantel for treatment of human trematode and cestode infections are briefly reviewed. Since praziquantel was first introduced as a broadspectrum anthelmintic in 1975, innumerable articles describing its successful use in the treatment of the majority of human-infecting trematodes and cestodes have been published. The target trematode and cestode diseases include schistosomiasis, clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis, paragonimiasis, heterophyidiasis, echinostomiasis, fasciolopsiasis, neodiplostomiasis, gymnophalloidiasis, taeniases, diphyllobothriasis, hymenolepiasis, and cysticercosis. However, Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica infections are refractory to praziquantel, for which triclabendazole, an alternative drug, is necessary. In addition, larval cestode infections, particularly hydatid disease and sparganosis, are not successfully treated by praziquantel. The precise mechanism of action of praziquantel is still poorly understood. There are also emerging problems with praziquantel treatment, which include the appearance of drug resistance in the treatment of Schistosoma mansoni and possibly Schistosoma japonicum, along with allergic or hypersensitivity reactions against praziquantel treatment. To cope with and overcome these problems, combined use of drugs, i.e., praziquantel and other newly introduced compounds such as triclabendazole, artemisinins, and tribendimidine, is being tried.
PubMed: 24265948
DOI: 10.3947/ic.2013.45.1.32 -
Food and Waterborne Parasitology Mar 2023Infections with the lung fluke, have been diagnosed in a variety of domestic and wild animals and humans in USA and Canada. Although there are many species of in other... (Review)
Review
Infections with the lung fluke, have been diagnosed in a variety of domestic and wild animals and humans in USA and Canada. Although there are many species of in other parts of the world; is the only species definitively diagnosed in USA and Canada. Fresh water snails (several species) and crayfish (mainly spp.) are its intermediate hosts. Humans and animals become infected with only by ingesting metacercariae encysted in the heart of crayfish. After ingestion, the fluke penetrates intestinal wall, enters peritoneal cavity, and reaches pleural cavity by direct penetration of diaphragm, 2-3 weeks post inoculation (p.i.). Young flukes penetrate lungs and become encysted in pulmonary tissue, often in pairs. Time to maturity is around 4-7 weeks p.i. Eggs are coughed up, swallowed, and are excreted in feces. Although the parasite has been known for more than a century, there has been an upsurge of human infections in the USA. Here, I review infections in naturally infected hosts. Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment in parasite-free cats and dogs experimentally infected are reviewed to shed light on the pathogenesis of human paragonimiasis. Problems and challenges facing diagnosis of paragonimiasis, especially non-pulmonary infections, are discussed. Fluke stages are deposited in Smithsonian Museum.
PubMed: 36588917
DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2022.e00184 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2023The clinical manifestations of paragonimiasis are diverse and non-specific, and can easily lead to misdiagnosis. We aimed to analyze the clinical manifestations,...
INTRODUCTION
The clinical manifestations of paragonimiasis are diverse and non-specific, and can easily lead to misdiagnosis. We aimed to analyze the clinical manifestations, laboratory features, treatment, and clinical outcome of children with paragonimiasis in order to improve recognition of this disease and avoid misdiagnosis.
METHODS
Children diagnosed with paragonimiasis from August 2016 to July 2022 were included in the study. Information on population informatics, medical history, and laboratory features was extracted from case data. The clinical features of paragonimiasis were retrospectively analyzed.
RESULTS
A total of 45 children were included in this study. All children had, at least, one risk factor. The clinical features mainly included fever, cough, pleural effusion, peritoneal effusion, and subcutaneous nodules. The main imaging findings were alveolar exudation, peritoneal effusion, pleural thickening, and local nodules. The "tunnel sign" finding on computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was helpful in establishing the diagnosis of paragonimiasis. After praziquantel treatment, most of the children improved, and one child with cerebral paragonimiasis experienced sequelae.
CONCLUSION
Most children with paragonimiasis have a good prognosis, but few children can experience sequelae. Avoidance of untreated water and raw food is a simple, feasible, and effective preventive measure.
PubMed: 37266536
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1143262 -
Respiratory Medicine Case Reports 2020Paragonimiasis, or Oriental lung fluke is a parasitic infestation seen in Asia, Africa and South America which is spread by the consumption of crabs and crayfish. To...
Paragonimiasis, or Oriental lung fluke is a parasitic infestation seen in Asia, Africa and South America which is spread by the consumption of crabs and crayfish. To date four cases have been reported from Nepal. Here, we report a case of paragonimiasis in a young male from Kathmandu valley who presented with symptoms of fever, on and off for 1 month, shortness of breath and cough. He was found to have pleural effusion. Sputum examination did not reveal acid fast bacilli, However, based on clinical features, he was started on antitubercular treatment. There was initial improvement, but later, he continued to have cough and hemoptysis over the next 2 years and on subsequent High-Resolution Computerized Tomography (HRCT) he was found to have a cavitary lung lesion in the superior segment of lower lobe of left lung. A possibility of aspergillosis was considered for which he underwent a lobectomy. The gross examination of the lung showed a small cavity measuring 5 mm which revealed on histology a parasitic structure with serous glands within it. In addition, there were many foreign body granulomas with ova within them. A diagnosis of paragonimiasis was made and the patient was started on Praziquantal. He recovered well and is currently asymptomatic. We can learn from this case that the signs and symptoms of paragonimiasis mimic that of tuberculosis and the mistaken diagnosis can lead to unnecessary treatment, prolonged morbidity and loss of time and resources.
PubMed: 33304807
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101298 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Apr 2009Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis is caused by a variety of helminthic infections. These worm-specific infections are named after the causative worm genera, the most... (Review)
Review
Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis is caused by a variety of helminthic infections. These worm-specific infections are named after the causative worm genera, the most common being angiostrongyliasis, gnathostomiasis, toxocariasis, cysticercosis, schistosomiasis, baylisascariasis, and paragonimiasis. Worm parasites enter an organism through ingestion of contaminated water or an intermediate host and can eventually affect the central nervous system (CNS). These infections are potentially serious events leading to sequelae or death, and diagnosis depends on currently limited molecular methods. Identification of parasites in fluids and tissues is rarely possible, while images and clinical examinations do not lead to a definitive diagnosis. Treatment usually requires the concomitant administration of corticoids and anthelminthic drugs, yet new compounds and their extensive and detailed clinical evaluation are much needed. Eosinophilia in fluids may be detected in other infectious and noninfectious conditions, such as neoplastic disease, drug use, and prosthesis reactions. Thus, distinctive identification of eosinophils in fluids is a necessary component in the etiologic diagnosis of CNS infections.
Topics: Animals; Central Nervous System Parasitic Infections; Eosinophilia; Helminthiasis; Humans; Meningoencephalitis
PubMed: 19366917
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00044-08 -
Medicine Apr 2018Paragonimiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Paragonimus in the lungs; it can be divided into intrapulmonary type and extrapulmonary type. Adult patients with scrotal... (Review)
Review
RATIONALE
Paragonimiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Paragonimus in the lungs; it can be divided into intrapulmonary type and extrapulmonary type. Adult patients with scrotal paragnonimus are rarely seen clinically and not widely reported in the literature. Here, we report 2 cases of scrotal paragonimiasis in adults and their treatment process.
PATIENT CONCERNS
Two young males sought medical advice because of scrotal masses. Both patients had the previous history of eating uncooked river crabs and presented with palpable quasicircular nodules of about 1.5 × 1.0 cm in testicles, which were well-defined, resilient in tenderness. The bilateral inguinal lymph nodes were not enlarged.
DIAGNOSIS AND INTERVENTIONS
The 2 patients underwent scrotal mass resection; postoperative pathology examination confirmed scrotum paragonimiasis. Both the patients were administered praziquantel after operation.
OUTCOMES
They were followed up for 1 year and 4 years, respectively; both recovered well, free from recurrence. Scrotum color Doppler ultrasound examination found no obvious abnormality.
LESSONS
Adult patients with scrotum paragonimiasis are rarely seen clinically. Moreover, its clinical manifestations are not typical that leads to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Diagnosis of the disease needs to combine with disease histories, manifestations, and relevant auxiliary examinations. But the diagnosis can be confirmed only by histopathological examination. The main method for treatment of scrotal paragonimiasis is antiparasitic treatment. However, health education is crucial to prevent this disease and relapse.
Topics: Adult; Genital Diseases, Male; Humans; Male; Paragonimiasis; Scrotum; Young Adult
PubMed: 29620658
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000010328 -
Chinese Medical Journal Mar 2018
Topics: Clonorchiasis; Humans; Paragonimiasis
PubMed: 29483404
DOI: 10.4103/0366-6999.226078