PDF
ePub
Citation
Print
Won Chul Kim1, Cho Rom Hahm1, Il Tae Kim2, Jin Hoi Koo3, Woo Jin Jung1
Abstract
Pulmonary paragonimiasis and tuberculosis are endemic in Asia, South America, and Africa. However, differential diagnosis among the diseases is difficult because they present with similar clinical symptoms and diagnostic features. Here, we report a case of pulmonary paragonimiasis that was identified using Ziehl-Neelsen stain after initially being assessed for pulmonary tuberculosis. Following anti-Paragonimus chemotherapy, the patient's symptoms, laboratory test results, and lung lesions improved. Thus, the identification of Paragonimus westermani using Ziehl-Neelsen stain can be considered in the diagnosis.
Figures and Tables
Fig. 1
A sputum smear slide with Ziehl-Neelsen stain showed a reddish to brownish colored egg suspected of Paragonimus westermani. Magnification was 1,000× using oil immersion.
Fig. 2
(A) The initial chest X-ray in lateral decubitus position shows a significant amount of left pleural effusion (arrows). (B) Chest X-ray obtained 1 month later shows that the pleural effusion is resolved.
Fig. 3
Axial computed tomography (CT) scans reveal a focal area of consolidation containing tiny nodules in the upper left lobe (arrow) at the pulmonary window setting (A) and left pleural effusion (arrow) at the mediastinal window setting (C). (B, D) CT images obtained during the 3-month follow-up examination reveal improved lung lesions.
References
1. Kagawa FT. Pulmonary paragonimiasis. Semin Respir Infect. 1997; 12:149–158.
2. Slesak G, Inthalad S, Basy P, Keomanivong D, Phoutsavath O, Khampoui S, et al. Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique can diagnose paragonimiasis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2011; 5:e1048.
3. Sim YS, Lee JH, Hong SC, Chang JH, Kang SR, Yang HJ, et al. Paragonimus westermani found in the tip of a little finger. Intern Med. 2010; 49:1645–1648.
4. Jeon K, Koh WJ, Kim H, Kwon OJ, Kim TS, Lee KS, et al. Clinical features of recently diagnosed pulmonary paragonimiasis in Korea. Chest. 2005; 128:1423–1430.
5. Kim TS, Han J, Shim SS, Jeon K, Koh WJ, Lee I, et al. Pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis: CT findings in 31 patients. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2005; 185:616–621.
6. Sadun EH, Buck AA. Paragonimiasis in South Korea--immunodiagnostic, epidemiologic, clinical, roentgenologic and therapeutic studies. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1960; 9:562–599.
7. Diaz JH. Paragonimiasis acquired in the United States: native and nonnative species. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2013; 26:493–504.
8. Im JG, Whang HY, Kim WS, Han MC, Shim YS, Cho SY. Pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis: radiologic findings in 71 patients. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1992; 159:39–43.
9. Hwang KE, Song HY, Jung JW, Oh SJ, Yoon KH, Park DS, et al. Pleural fluid characteristics of pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis masquerading as pleural tuberculosis. Korean J Intern Med. 2015; 30:56–61.
10. Im SH, Shin SH, Song MJ, Kim JW, Kim SJ. A case of Paragonimiasis in the abdominal subcutaneous tissue with pleural effusion. Tuberc Respir Dis. 2004; 56:550–554.
11. Cho SY, Lee DK, Kang SY, Kim SI. An epidemiological study of human paragonimiasis by means of micro-ELISA. Kisaengchunghak Chapchi. 1983; 21:246–256.
12. Kuzucu A. Parasitic diseases of the respiratory tract. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2006; 12:212–221.
XML Download