View source for Paragonimus westermani

{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = ''Paragonimus westermani''
| image = Paragonimus westermani 01.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Egg of ''P. westermani''
| domain = [[Eukaryota]]
| regnum = [[Animalia]]
| phylum = [[Platyhelminthes]]
| classis = [[Trematoda]]
| subclassis = [[Digenea]]
| familia = [[Paragonimidae]]
| genus = [[Paragonimus]]
| species = '''''P. westermani'''''
| binomial = ''Paragonimus westermani''
}}

'''''Paragonimus westermani''''' is the taxonomic name of an important lung fluke.  It is endemic to [[Asia]].  [[Oncomelania]] [[snails]] are essential to this [[worm]]'s life cycle.  The infection of ''P. westermani'' is a serious [[disease]].

The eggs of ''P. westermani'' range in size from 68µm-118µm x 39µm-67µm. They are yellow-brown, ovoidal or elongated, with a thick shell, and often asymmetrical with one end slightly flattened. At the large end, the [[operculum]] is visible.

Paragonimiasis is a disease caused by parasites called flukes, most commonly Paragonimus westermani. There are other Paragonimus species that can cause disease in humans. The major forms of disease are pulmonary (lung) and extrapulmonary (outside of the lung, such as in the abdomen or brain).

Lung fluke infection can be a serious illness in humans, but it is not transmitted from person-to-person. Symptoms of lung fluke infection can include cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and hives. The parasite, Paragonimus, can migrate from the lungs to other organs, and infection can last for years. Medication is available to treat the infection. 

When Paragonimus eggs hatch in fresh water, the miracidium enters different snails and develops into cercaria, which infect freshwater crabs and crayfish, where they form cysts in gills and muscles. When freshwater crabs are eaten raw, the parasite penetrates the gut wall, migrates through the abdominal cavity and passes the diaphragm, where it develops into adult worms. The classical symptoms of a fully developed infection is bloody sputum in which Paragonimus eggs can be demonstrated, and Paragonimus is, therefore, an important [[differential diagnosis]] to tuberculosis. In the migratory phase, elevated eosinophils and IgE are common. Diagnosis can be aided by detection of specific antibodies. The treatment of choice is [[praziquantel]].
==Treatment==
===Antimicrobial Regimen===
*1.'''Paragonimus westermani'''
:*Preferred regimen: [[Praziquantel]] 25 mg/kg tid PO for 2 days<ref>{{Cite web | title =Parasites - Paragonimiasis| url =http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/paragonimus/health_professionals/index.html }}</ref>

==External link==
* {{cite web
  |title=The Human Lung Fluke - Paragonimus westermani
  |work=Cambridge Schistosomiasis Research Group
  |url=http://www.path.cam.ac.uk/~schisto/OtherFlukes/Paragonimus.html
  |accessdate=January 29
  |accessyear=2006
}}
==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{med-stub}}

[[Category:Parasites]]

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