HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

[Paragonimiasis westermani caused by ingestion of Chinese freshwater crabs].

Abstract
We encountered three cases of paragonimiasis westermani caused by ingestion of Chinese freshwater crabs. All patients are Chinese living in Japan who had a history of eating raw Shanghai crabs at the Chinese restaurant owned by one of them. A few months later they complained of cough, chest pain and dyspnea. On examination, their peripheral blood showed a remarkable increase in eosinophils. Chest radiographs revealed the presence of pleural effusion in all cases, and of pneumothorax in one. Pleural fluid obtained from two cases showed an increased number of eosinophils, an elevated LDH, and a decreased glucose level. Paragonimus westermani was determined in a positive serum antibody test. The patients were treated with praziquantel for 3 days at a daily dosage of 75 mg/kg and their symptoms were relieved, but one case needed additional treatment with praziquantel for 3 days at a daily dosage of 50 mg/kg because of sustained pleural effusion and a persistently high antibody titer. Most cases of paragonimiasis found in Japan have been sporadic and individual, but three cases occurring close to each other in both distance and time have recently been reported. Such multiple infections are likely to increase because of the gourmet food boom and the internationalization of eating habits. Paragonimiasis must be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of cases of pleural effusion with eosinophilia. We would therefore like to emphasize the importance of the detection of parasite-specific antibodies and of careful history-taking from patients.
AuthorsKatsuya Yumine, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Takao Kamimori, Yoshihiro Tochino, Yoshihiro Miki, Teruaki Fujikawa, Fukumi Nakamura-Uchiyama
JournalNihon Kokyuki Gakkai zasshi = the journal of the Japanese Respiratory Society (Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi) Vol. 41 Issue 3 Pg. 186-90 (Mar 2003) ISSN: 1343-3490 [Print] Japan
PMID12772598 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Anthelmintics
  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Biomarkers
  • Praziquantel
Topics
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics (therapeutic use)
  • Antibodies, Helminth (blood)
  • Biomarkers (blood)
  • Brachyura (parasitology)
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eosinophilia (etiology)
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paragonimiasis (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy, parasitology)
  • Paragonimus (immunology)
  • Pleural Effusion (etiology)
  • Praziquantel (therapeutic use)
  • Serologic Tests
  • Treatment Outcome

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: