Abstract
Paragonimiasis (human infections with the lung fluke Paragonimus westermani) is an important public health problem in parts of Africa. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of Paragonimus infection in Ebonyi State. Deep sputum samples from 3600 individuals and stool samples from 900 individuals in nine Local Government Areas in Ebonyi State, Nigeria were examined for Paragonimus ova using concentration technique. The overall prevalence of pulmonary Paragonimus infection in the area was 16.30%. Six foci of the infection were identified in Ebonyi North and Ebonyi Central but none in Ebonyi South. The intensity of the infection was generally moderate. Of the 720 individuals examined, 16 (12.12%) had less than 40 ova of Paragonimus in 5 mL sputum and 114 (86.36%) had between 40 and 79 ova of Paragonimus in 5 mL sputum. While 2 individuals (1.52%) had over 79 ova of Paragonimus in 5 mL Sputum. Furthermore, there was higher prevalence of paragonimiasis in rainy season than in dry season. The results of this study indicated the growing public health threat posed by paragonimiasis in Ebonyi North and Ebonyi Central. A combination of chemotherapy, to bring relief to persons already infected by the disease and public health education related to paragonimiasis transmission to increase awareness of the infection in the areas is recommended.
Highlights
Paragonimiasis, known as endemic haemoptysis, oriental lung fluke infection, pulmonary distomiasis, parasitical haemoptysis, parasitare haemopte, Gregarinosis pulmonum, is one of the most important food-borne parasitic zoonoses caused by one or more of the trematode species of the genus Paragonimus
The results of this study indicated the growing public health threat posed by paragonimiasis in Ebonyi North and Ebonyi Central
A combination of chemotherapy, to bring relief to persons already infected by the disease and public health education related to paragonimiasis transmission to increase awareness of the infection in the areas is recommended
Summary
Paragonimiasis, known as endemic haemoptysis, oriental lung fluke infection, pulmonary distomiasis, parasitical haemoptysis, parasitare haemopte, Gregarinosis pulmonum, is one of the most important food-borne parasitic zoonoses caused by one or more of the trematode species of the genus Paragonimus. A wide range of fresh water snails and crabs as well as crayfish served as first and second intermediate hosts, respectively (Miyazaki and Hirose, 1976). Infection in human occurs by ingestion of raw or undercooked freshwater crabs or crayfishes (Singh et al, 2005). Paragonimiasis is an important cause of pulmonary infection in all races (Narain et al, 2005). This disease is diagnosed in the laboratory by microscopic demonstration of Paragonimus ova in the sputum and other clinical specimens such as faces and pleural fluid or by specific Paragonimus serological tests (Shantikumar et al, 2012)
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