Paragonimus sp. 1 05.jpg

Taxonomy: s.f. Troglotrematoidea
Animal: Paragonimus sp. 1 05.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 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) These eggs were found in a routine check and emphasises the importance of such checks if travellers have ventured into less well trod areas. It should not be assumed that a single negative test or that no symptoms indicates there is not a potentially very serious infection present.

First Picture | Previous Picture | Next Picture | Last Picture