Paragonimiasis

The paragonimiasis, also known as lung fluke, is a parasitic disease caused by trematodes of the genus Paragonimus, especially species of Paragonimus westermani and P. kellicotti. Parasites are fleshy, very mobile, reddish-brown, oval, measuring about 1 to 2 cm in greatest dimension. Humans are infected by eating food contaminated with trematode larvae, and crustaceans and mollusks. Clinical manifestations mainly lung, with cough and phlegm occasionally hemoptysis. These symptoms can mimic pulmonary tuberculosis, which has similarities with radiology. In extrapulmonary sites, such as liver, brain peritoneum,, kidneys, genitals, heart, eyes, etc.., Symptoms depend on the organs affected. But the location of adult parasites are the lungs, where the egg to reach the bronchioles and larynx can be removed and thus sputum or swallowed and out through the feces.

Initial pathology is due to the larvae pass through the tissue, where they cause abscesses and minor bleeding. Injuries caused by the adult parasite is a type of inflammation at first and then with the formation of a fibrous cyst surrounded by necrotic material, especially in the lungs. Diagnosis is made by finding the eggs in the material ekspektorasi or feces. As an additional means used radiological and immunological testing facilities. The treatment is done with bithionol, chemical derivatives dichlorophenol, which has been used as an antiparasitic in animals.