Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2025
03:22
Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
990
Exudative pleural effusion caused by lung fluke infection: case report
Ling Ai1, Jingyuan Li2, Ting Ye2
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
Summary
Lung fluke infection, though rare, can cause pleural effusion in adults. Antibody testing confirmed this diagnosis in a young male with eosinophilia, highlighting an easily missed cause of lung disease.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Lung fluke disease has a low global incidence and is an uncommon cause of pleural effusion in adults.
- Pleural effusion diagnosis can be challenging, especially in cases with atypical presentations.
Observation:
- A case study involving a 19-year-old male presenting with exudative pleural effusion and eosinophilia.
- Initial diagnostics for pleural effusion did not immediately suggest parasitic infection.
Findings:
- Antibody testing confirmed lung fluke infection as the cause of the patient's pleural effusion and eosinophilia.
- Eosinophilia was a significant indicator, prompting further specific diagnostic testing.
Implications:
- This case underscores lung fluke infection as a potential, yet often overlooked, etiology of pleural effusion.
- Highlights the importance of considering parasitic infections in the differential diagnosis of unexplained pleural effusions, especially when eosinophilia is present.
- Emphasizes the utility of serological tests in confirming lung fluke diagnoses.
