A Review on Paragonimiasis and its Differential Diagnosis Technique

Abstract

This review highlights the existence of Paragonimus (PRG) and how they are mistaken for Tuberculosis (TB) during diagnosis. PRG is a parasitic lung fluke (flatworm) that infect the lungs, human serves as the first hosts, crabs, crayfish, and snails as the second intermediate hosts. The north-eastern states of India are endemic to PRG and infection is acquired by consuming uncooked or partially cooked crustaceans. Due to their similar clinical presentation to TB, PRGs are usually misdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment. Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stain, conventional wet film for staining the sputum, pleural fluid, and stool, and lung biopsy are different laboratory tests to determine PRG infection. In addition, efficient technique that can aid diagnosis are immunological assays, like Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), dot-ELISA, complement fixation test (CFT), intradermal test (ID), Western blot, immunodiffusion and indirect haemagglutination test (IHA). In India, PRG infection is most likely to persist until medical professionals and governing bodies raise awareness to implement adequate management measures.