Paragonimiasis: an important food-borne zoonosis in China.
The lung fluke, Paragonimus westermani, is of major socioeconomic importance in Asia. The parasite is transmitted via snails to freshwater crabs or crayfish, then to humans and other mammals, such as cats and dogs, and causes paragonimiasis. This review provides a background on the parasite and its life cycle; summarizes key aspects regarding the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of paragonimiasis; describes the geographic distribution and prevalence of paragonimiasis; and makes some recommendations for future research and the control of this important disease in China.
Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Changchun, China. liuquan1973@hotmail.com
Quan
Q
Liu
Feng
F
Wei
Wensen
W
Liu
Songtao
S
Yang
Xichen
X
Zhang
D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D005506:Food Contamination; D016266:Food Parasitology; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D010237:Paragonimiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D010238:Paragonimus / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D017747:Seafood / Q000469:parasitology; D012908:Snails / Q000469:parasitology; D015047:Zoonoses