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Clinical Features of Pulmonary Sparganosis
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Sparganosis is an infectious disease caused by the sparganum of Spirometra species, which seldom invades the respiratory system. The aim was to describe the clinical features and outcomes of pulmonary sparganosis.
Methods:
A total of 40 patients with pulmonary sparganosis were reviewed, including 12 cases known from this experience and 28 cases reported in the literature.
Results:
Among these 40 patients at an average age of 45.4 ± 11.1 years (men 29), 34 (85%) had a history of ingesting raw or undercooked meat (mainly frogs or snakes). The top 3 symptoms were coughing (60.0%), fever (57.5%) and chest pain (42.5%). Peripheral blood eosinophilia was found in 30 cases (75%). Lesions were located in lung parenchyma, airway, pleura and pulmonary vessels of the patients. Thirty-one patients (77.5%) had pleural effusion. The diagnosis was established by antisparganum antibody test in 30 cases (75%) and by pathology in 9 cases (22.5%); 1 case was not mentioned. Among the 35 cases with follow-up information, 2 treated with complete surgical removal and 31 with oral administration of praziquantel had no recurrence; the remaining 2 died without effective treatments.
Conclusions:
As an extremely rare and life-threatening parasitic zoonosis, pulmonary sparganosis should be diagnosed by combining the epidemiology, patient history, eosinophilia and the positive antisparganum antibody test result together if no worm was detected. Oral praziquantel is considered to be an effective treatment.
Insights
Pulmonary sparganosis, a rare parasitic lung infection, often presents with cough and fever. Early diagnosis combining patient history, eosinophilia, and antibody tests, followed by oral praziquantel, is key for effective treatment and preventing recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Sparganosis is a rare parasitic infection caused by Spirometra species.
- Pulmonary involvement is an uncommon manifestation of sparganosis.
Observation:
- A review of 40 pulmonary sparganosis cases (12 from experience, 28 from literature) was conducted.
- Most patients (85%) had a history of consuming raw meat, primarily frogs or snakes.
- Common symptoms included cough (60%), fever (57.5%), and chest pain (42.5%).
Findings:
- Peripheral blood eosinophilia was present in 75% of cases.
- Lesions were observed in lung parenchyma, airways, pleura, and pulmonary vessels, with pleural effusion in 77.5%.
- Diagnosis relied on antisparganum antibody tests (75%) and pathology (22.5%).
Implications:
- Pulmonary sparganosis is a rare, potentially fatal zoonosis requiring integrated diagnostic approaches.
- Oral praziquantel is an effective treatment, with no recurrence observed in treated patients.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in pulmonary sparganosis.
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