Hepatic paragonimiasis in a 15-month-old girl: a case report

Zongrong Gong,Zhicheng Xu,Chuanfen Lei,Chaomin Wan

doi:10.1186/s12887-017-0942-5

Abstract

BackgroundParagonimiasis, particularly hepatic paragonimiasis (HP), is a type of zoonotic parasitic disease rarely encountered in infants. There have been only a few reports of HP, and no case of HP has been reported in an infant.Case presentationA 15-month-old girl presented with persistent mild fever with a duration of 1 month, hepatomegaly, and low-density lesions in the right hepatic lobe on abdominal ultrasound and computer tomography. Pathological examination and serum antibody detection were performed to verify HP. The diagnosis of HP was established based on findings of Charcot-Leyden crystals on liver lesion biopsy and antibodies against paragonimus westermani detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After initiation of praziquantel (75 mg/kg/day for 3 days), all clinical findings promptly improved and the patient was discharged.ConclusionIt is very important to consider paragonimiasis in the clinical examination of infants from an area with paragonimiasis epidemic presenting with fever, hepatomegaly, low-density lesions in the liver.

Highlights

Paragonimiasis, hepatic paragonimiasis (HP), is a type of zoonotic parasitic disease rarely encountered in infants
It is very important to consider paragonimiasis in the clinical examination of infants from an area with paragonimiasis epidemic presenting with fever, hepatomegaly, low-density lesions in the liver
Paragonimiasis is a type of zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Paragonimus westermani that has a wide distribution throughout China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent [1,2,3,4]

Summary

Introduction

Paragonimiasis, hepatic paragonimiasis (HP), is a type of zoonotic parasitic disease rarely encountered in infants. Conclusion: It is very important to consider paragonimiasis in the clinical examination of infants from an area with paragonimiasis epidemic presenting with fever, hepatomegaly, low-density lesions in the liver. The diagnosis of paragonimiasis is difficult owing to non-specific clinical symptoms, in children, who cannot accurately express their symptoms and dietary history.

Results

Conclusion