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Pulmonary paragonimiasis: clinical and experimental studies
1Department of Radiology, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Korea.
Summary
Pulmonary paragonimiasis, a lung fluke infection, presents varied chest X-ray findings depending on disease stage. Diagnosis involves serologic tests or egg detection in sputum.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pulmonary paragonimiasis is caused by lung flukes endemic to East Asia.
- Human infestation results from consuming raw or undercooked infected freshwater crabs or crayfish.
- Case reports indicate its presence in North America.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate radiologic findings in human pulmonary paragonimiasis with pathological and radiological findings in experimentally infected cats.
- To understand how disease stage influences radiographic manifestations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 78 South Korean patients with pleuropulmonary disease diagnosed with paragonimiasis.
- Diagnosis confirmed by Paragonimus-specific antibody tests or sputum egg detection.
- Correlation with radiological and pathological findings from experimental feline paragonimiasis.
Main Results:
- Radiologic findings in pulmonary paragonimiasis are stage-dependent.
- Early-stage manifestations (juvenile worm migration) include pneumothorax, hydropneumothorax, consolidation, and linear opacities.
- Late-stage findings (worm cysts) include thin-walled cysts, mass-like consolidation, nodules, and bronchiectasis.
Conclusions:
- Radiographic presentations of pulmonary paragonimiasis evolve with disease progression.
- Understanding these stage-specific findings aids in diagnosis and management.
- Correlative studies in animal models can elucidate human disease manifestations.