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The Korean Journal of Parasitology Sep 2006The mammalian trematode Paragonimus westermani is a typical digenetic parasite, which can cause paragonimiasis in humans. Host tissues and blood cells are important...
The mammalian trematode Paragonimus westermani is a typical digenetic parasite, which can cause paragonimiasis in humans. Host tissues and blood cells are important sources of nutrients for development, growth and reproduction of P. westermani. In this study, a cDNA clone encoding a 47 kDa hemoglobinase of P. westermani was characterized by sequencing analysis, and its localization was investigated immunohistochemically. The phylogenetic tree prepared based on the hemoglobinase gene showed high homology with hemoglobinases of Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma spp. Moreover, recombinant P. westermani hemoglobinase degradaded human hemoglobin at acidic pH (from 3.0 to 5.5) and its activity was almost completely inhibited by E-64, a cysteine proteinase inhibitor. Immunohistochemical studies showed that P. westermani hemoglobinase was localized in the epithelium of the adult worm intestine implying that the protein has a specific function. These observations suggest that hemoglobinase may act as a digestive enzyme for acquisition of nutrients from host hemoglobin. Further investigations may provide insights into hemoglobin catabolism in P. westermani.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Antigens, Helminth; Astacoidea; Cysteine Endopeptidases; DNA, Complementary; Escherichia coli; Hemoglobins; Molecular Sequence Data; Paragonimus westermani; Phylogeny; Recombinant Proteins; Sequence Alignment
PubMed: 16969056
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2006.44.3.187 -
Clinical and Experimental Immunology Nov 2002To investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of eosinophilic pleural effusion in patients with paragonimiasis, we measured the levels of various chemokines including thymus...
To investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of eosinophilic pleural effusion in patients with paragonimiasis, we measured the levels of various chemokines including thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), eotaxin, RANTES and IL-8 in pleural effusion samples. Samples were obtained from 11 patients with Paragonimus westermani infection, six patients with pleural transudate, eight with tuberculous pleurisy and five with empyema. High percentages of eosinophils were detected in pleural fluid (range 9-100%, median 81%) of patients with paragonimiasis. TARC concentrations in pleural effusions of paragonimiasis were markedly higher than those of other groups. Eotaxin levels were also higher in pleural effusions of paragonimiasis patients, although significant difference was noted only against transudate samples. There was a significant correlation between TARC concentrations and percentages of eosinophils, and between TARC and eotaxin concentrations in pleural effusion. There were also significant correlations between TARC concentration and the titre of anti-P. westermani IgG and between eotaxin concentration and the titre of anti-P. westermani IgG. Our findings suggest that TARC contributes to the pathogenesis of eosinophilic pleural effusion in paragonimiasis.
Topics: Aged; Animals; Antibodies, Helminth; Chemokine CCL17; Chemokines, CC; Cytokines; Empyema; Eosinophilia; Exudates and Transudates; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus; Pleural Effusion; Tuberculosis, Pleural
PubMed: 12390321
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2249.2002.01985.x -
Case Reports in Pathology 2016Paragonimiasis is an infection caused by the lung fluke of the genus Paragonimus. Within the United States, paragonimiasis has been commonly diagnosed in Southeast Asian...
Paragonimiasis is an infection caused by the lung fluke of the genus Paragonimus. Within the United States, paragonimiasis has been commonly diagnosed in Southeast Asian immigrants infected with the Asian lung fluke Paragonimus westermani. Infections from the North American lung fluke, Paragonimus kellicotti, have been rare, although more infections have been seen in people in the Midwestern United States. A 29-year-old male with a history of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma presented with hemoptysis. A CT scan showed a mass in the left upper lung lobe. A biopsy showed eosinophils and parasite eggs, some with a recognizable operculum. Further investigation revealed that he takes canoe trips on rivers within Missouri and would eat crayfish caught from these rivers. A blood sample was confirmed positive for Paragonimiasis serologically at the Center for Disease Control. Paragonimus kellicotti is found in rivers within the Mississippi basin. Infection occurs by consuming uncooked or undercooked crawfish. Microscopic identification of parasite eggs has been the gold standard. Serologic tests have been developed to aid in the diagnosis. Patients typically present with fever and hemoptysis. Common CT findings include pleural effusion, a mass, and lymphadenopathy. Awareness of P. kellicotti is important to guide appropriate diagnostic testing and ensuring proper treatment.
PubMed: 27213066
DOI: 10.1155/2016/2107372 -
Radiology Case Reports May 2022More than 40 different species of the parasitic flatworm have been identified worldwide, including in Vietnam, but only 10 species are known to cause disease in humans,...
More than 40 different species of the parasitic flatworm have been identified worldwide, including in Vietnam, but only 10 species are known to cause disease in humans, particularly are transmitted through the ingestion of raw foods, especially freshwater shrimp, and crab. Paragonimiasis causes pneumonia, which can present as acute or chronic, with symptoms including prolonged cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and hemoptysis. Hematologic changes include eosinophilia and the presence of specific antibodies for in the blood. Diagnosis is confirmed when specimens or eggs are found in the sputum or pleural fluid. The specificity of imaging is not high, but imaging can be used to guide the diagnosis. After the failure of microbiological diagnostic methods, lung biopsy can be used to confirm a diagnosis of paragonimiasis. We present a paragonimiasis case associated with unique features, including epidemiologic factors, atypical clinical signs, no increases in blood eosinophils, and negative microbiological tests. Although the patient was suspected of tuberculosis or lung cancer, imaging studies were consistent with the presence of lung flukes. Three transthoracic lung biopsies were performed, and pathology revealed a cystic structure containing on the third biopsy.
PubMed: 35309377
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2022.02.046 -
The European Respiratory Journal Sep 2005
Topics: Adult; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Lung Diseases, Parasitic; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus westermani; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
PubMed: 16135739
DOI: 10.1183/09031936.05.00003505 -
Pathogens and Global Health Jan 2013Infection caused by the lung fluke is endemic in north eastern parts of India. Paragonimus westermani and Paragonimus heterotremus are known to be endemic in eastern...
Infection caused by the lung fluke is endemic in north eastern parts of India. Paragonimus westermani and Paragonimus heterotremus are known to be endemic in eastern Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland. The infection is related to eating habits of the locals and is acquired by ingestion of raw, inadequately cooked crabs or crayfish containing encysted metacercariae which act as second intermediate hosts during the life cycle of the lung fluke. Diagnosis is generally delayed due to lack of suspicion and presentation similar to tuberculosis which is endemic in the population. We report pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis in a soldier from eastern India who presented with chest pain, haemoptysis, and eosinophilia. He gave history of consumption of raw crabs while on leave at his native village in Nagaland. Ova morphologically resembling Paragonimus heterotremus were detected in sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage specimen. Symptoms resolved with praziquantel treatment.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Anthelmintics; Brachyura; Food Parasitology; Humans; India; Male; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus; Praziquantel; Shellfish; Sputum; Tuberculosis
PubMed: 23432864
DOI: 10.1179/2047773212Y.0000000067 -
Neuroscience Research Oct 2009Excretory-secretory products (ESP) from helminthic parasites may play pivotal roles in the immune regulation in hosts. Previously, we reported that ESP produced from...
Excretory-secretory products (ESP) from helminthic parasites may play pivotal roles in the immune regulation in hosts. Previously, we reported that ESP produced from Paragonimus westermani induced morphological activation of microglial cells and markedly stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production via activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). In the present study, we investigated the role of protein kinase C and protein kinase A in MAPKs-dependent NO production by ESP. We found that treatment with protein kinase C inhibitor Go6976 strongly inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK, but not ERK, of MAPKs and decreased the production of NO in ESP-stimulated microglial cells. Inhibition of ERK, p38 or PKC decreased the ESP-induced activation of NF-kappaB, an important transcription factor for iNOS expression. Furthermore, ESP increased the level of p-CREB in microglial cells. However, adenylyl cyclase activator (forskolin), adenylyl cyclase inhibitor (SQ22536), cAMP analogue (db-cAMP) or protein kinase A inhibitor (H89) was not able to change iNOS expression and NO production in ESP-treated microglial cells. It implies that the cAMP-PKA-CREB pathway is not implicated in the ESP-evoked NO production in microglial cells. Thus, our results indicate that ESP stimulates microglial expression of iNOS via both PKC-dependent and -independent MAPKs phosphorylation and NF-kappaB activation.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Cells, Cultured; Central Nervous System Infections; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Encephalitis; Enzyme Inhibitors; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Microglia; NF-kappa B; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Paragonimiasis; Paragonimus westermani; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase C; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
PubMed: 19539668
DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2009.06.006 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Nov 2023
Topics: Humans; Animals; Paragonimiasis; Pleural Effusion; Paragonimus
PubMed: 37549895
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0301 -
Neuropathology : Official Journal of... Aug 2022Paragonimiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Paragonimus westermani infection, and migration to the brain results in cerebral paragonimiasis. Cerebral paragonimiasis...
Paragonimiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Paragonimus westermani infection, and migration to the brain results in cerebral paragonimiasis. Cerebral paragonimiasis is now extremely rare, but a few cases are still reported. A 48-year-old Japanese woman presented with right-hand convulsion, right-hand numbness, sputum, and fatigue. Chest computed tomography demonstrated multiple nodular lesions, and head computed tomography revealed a hemorrhagic lesion in the left motor cortex. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple small ring-shaped lesions with surrounding edema. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated peripheral eosinophilia. We considered eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and started steroid treatment as a diagnostic therapy since we wanted to avoid cerebral lesion biopsy if possible. However, the patient underwent craniotomy surgery after steroid treatment for four months because a new intracerebral mass lesion had appeared. Trematode eggs were detected in the sample, and the final diagnosis was cerebral paragonimiasis. The patient was successfully treated with praziquantel. Cerebral paragonimiasis is extremely rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis if atypical intracranial hemorrhage and peripheral eosinophilia are observed.
Topics: Churg-Strauss Syndrome; Diagnostic Errors; Female; Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis; Humans; Middle Aged; Paragonimiasis; Steroids
PubMed: 35723635
DOI: 10.1111/neup.12841 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Sep 1996The TH cytokine responses of spleen cells stimulated with Con A from mice infected with Paragonimus westermani were examined. The spleen cell culture supernatants were...
The TH cytokine responses of spleen cells stimulated with Con A from mice infected with Paragonimus westermani were examined. The spleen cell culture supernatants were assayed for TH1-specific IFN-gamma and TH2-specific IL-4. Cytokine responses for IL-4 peaked at three days (410 +/- 60.9 pg/ml), persisted at a high level until the second week (343 +/- 59.0 pg/ml), and then decreased slowly four and six weeks after infection. IFN-gamma production by splenocytes only increased during the first week (151 +/- 32.3 pg/ml) and declined abruptly after the second week of infection. IFN-gamma production by splenocytes of infected mice was not observed during the sixth week of infection. In addition, serum IL-4 and IFN-gamma were measured. Serum IL-4 was not detected in substantial quantity until four to six weeks after infection. The time course of serum IL-4 was not correlated with that of IL-4 production by splenocytes. Serum IFN-gamma was undetectable during the entire course of infection. These results suggest that TH2 cytokine responses, rather than TH1, predominate in mice infected with P. westermani.
Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Concanavalin A; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-4; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Paragonimiasis; Spleen; Th1 Cells; Th2 Cells; Time Factors
PubMed: 8843694
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.1996.34.3.185