Helminth-Trematode: Paragonimus westermani and Paragonimus Species

Paragonimiasis is a zoonotic food-borne lung disease caused by lung flukes of the genus Paragonimus and acquired by consumption of raw/undercooked freshwater crabs/crayfish or wild boar meat. Paragonimus westermani is the best known species to infect humans in Asia, but several other species of human pathogens are also present. Molecular phylogenetic analyses assign most Asian Paragonimus species into four species complexes with some correlation to human pathogenesis. Paragonimus species exploit a range of mammalian definitive hosts and, as intermediate hosts, freshwater snails and crustaceans, eradication of which is not feasible. Avoidance of consumption of raw/undercooked foods and early diagnosis/treatment are recommended for the control of this disease.