North American paragonimiasis (Caused by Paragonimus kellicotti) in the context of global paragonimiasis.
Paragonimus species are highly evolved parasites with a complex life cycle that involves at least three different hosts, i.e., snails, crustaceans, and mammals. The adult forms of Paragonimus species reside and mate in the lungs of a variety of permissive mammalian hosts, including humans. Although human paragonimiasis is uncommonly encountered in North America, both autochthonous and imported disease may be encountered. Paragonimus kellicotti, the species endemic to North America, is a well-known pathogen in wild and domestic animals. Five patients with North American paragonimiasis have been reported in the recent medical literature. The biologic, clinical, radiologic, and laboratory features of paragonimiasis are reviewed, with emphasis on North American paragonimiasis whenever possible.
Procop
Gary W
GW
Department of Clinical Pathology/L11, The Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. procopg@ccf.org
D000818:Animals; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D010237:Paragonimiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D010238:Paragonimus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014195:Travel