Lung Fluke

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by friday1064

by friday1064

Paragonimiasis

One may feel comfortable eating raw lobster or crab for dinner tonight but there is a nasty, traveling parasite we have to keep our eyes peeled for. It goes by the name of Lung Fluke or traditionally known as "Paragonimus". Depending on where it is situated it can be referred to as P. Westermani (Asia), P. Africanus (Africa), and P. Mexicanus (Central and South America). It all happens by eating raw crawfish or crab. This parasite also experiences its larval stages during its cycles in the environment and the human body.

It all begins in the lungs where the eggs of the parasite travel in the sputum with the help of microvilli. It leaves the body through the stool and if it meets water the eggs hatch and become a larvae known as miracidum. It then looks for its first host, a snail, and grows into cercaria. It leaves the snail and intrudes a crab, crawfish, or lobster. After two months of living inside its host, it transforms into its resting form, metacercaria and creates a cyst in the crab. If a human consumes this infected crab, the cyst travels to the stomach reaching the small intestine. Here, the parasite goes through the intestinal and abdominal wall. It reaches the diaphragm and situates itself in the lungs where it reproduces. The lungs are the perfect environment for laying eggs because it provides the lung fluke with oxygen and warmth. Sometimes the parasite can travel to different organs and damage them. If it goes to the spinal cord, the host can be paralyzed. Death is more likely to occur if the parasite reaches the heart and begins to infect it severely.

For the most part, it can cause an acute syndrome with a dry cough in which blood may be present. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, chest pain, feeling tired, and fever is also followed up with the infection. If the infection is very mild the host might not experience any symptoms but if it happens to be a long-term infection then the person will start to experience symptoms similar to bronchitis or tuberculosis. Chronic problems can lead to fluid in the lining of the lung known as pleural effusion, air can leak in the space around the lung. The lung can scar and swell as well. When the lung fluke grows into an adult in the lungs, it can lead to causing lung disease. It can be diagnosed when the doctor examines the kind of species the eggs in the sputum or stool. A biopsy can also be performed.

It can be treated by using anthelminthic drugs or possible surgery. Lung Fluke is not contagious but is a danger for people that travel and consume foreign raw crawfish. That's is why in order to prevent this it is essential to be knowledgeable and cautious of what we are eating. In the United States, cases of lung fluke are rare but some occur in the west and south areas especially when people go rafting on the rivers and consume raw crawfish. Avoid eating raw crawfish, it can save you from having a parasitic creature penetrating your organs.

Works Cited

"Asian English." English in India. The British Library Board, n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2016. <http://www.bl.uk/learning/langlit/sounds/case-studies/minority-ethnic/asian/>.

"General Information." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Jan. 2013. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/paragonimus/gen_info/index.html>.

"The Lung Fluke." Animal Planet The Lung Fluke Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/monsters-inside-me/videos/the-lung-fluke/>.

"Paragonimiasis." : Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/999188-overview>.

"Paragonimiasis (Lung Fluke) - Health Topics - Southern Nevada Health District." Paragonimiasis (Lung Fluke) - Health Topics - Southern Nevada Health District. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/health-topics/paragonimiasis.php>.

"Paragonimus Westermani - Lung Fluke." Paragonimus Westermani - Lung Fluke. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://www.parasitesinhumans.org/paragonimus-westermani-lung-fluke.html>.

Pearson, Richard D. "Fluke Infections of the Lungs." N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/infections/parasitic-infections/fluke-infections-of-the-lungs>.