Paragonimus sp. 1 04.jpg

Taxonomy: s.f. Troglotrematoidea
Animal: Paragonimus sp. 1 04.jpg
Sites: Gut
Comment:
Paragonimus sp. egg in faeces, saline preparation, 79 x 48 microns operculate and unembryonated. This was from an Australian patient who returned from travelling in Ecuador, South America. Paragonimus eggs can be confused with D. latum eggs (65-70 x 45-50 microns and smooth shell, in N. Europe, Siberia, N.America) ) because of size overlap but the Paragonimus eggs have opercular shoulders and a marked thickening of the shell at the abopercular end, not seen in D.latum eggs (Garcia and Bruckner,1997). The patient was asymptomatic although she did have an abnormal brassy cough; the eggs were found in the faeces in a routine check. The eggs are most likely those of the P.mexicanus group considering the appearance of the eggs and her travel itinerary. (P.westermanni eggs 70-100 x 38-50 microns found in SE Asia, China, Japan and USSR). This case emphasises the importance of obtaining the best prophylactic advice, avoiding eating suspect foods, taking appropriate measures to avoid arthropod bites and having some tests when the traveller returns, especially if it has been an intrepid adventure and even if asymptomatic.

First Picture | Previous Picture | Next Picture | Last Picture