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Lung Fluke in Humans

Human lung fluke disease comes from a food-borne parasite and is most common in South America and Asia. The fluke itself is reddish-brown and is about the size of a coffee bean.

  1. Paragonimus Westermani

    • Paragonimus westermani is by far the most typical variety of lung fluke. The worm itself is covered in scales and can cause severe chronic lung inflammation.

    Symptoms

    • Human lung fluke disease can be difficult to diagnose because of the relative dearth of symptoms. Other than the presence of a cough, fever, chills, loss of appetite, indigestion and night sweats—all common symptoms of other conditions—there aren't substantial indicators.

    How it Enters the Body

    • Paragonimus westermani usually enters the body via encysted larvae in crabs and crayfish.

    Other Flukes

    • Though Paragonimus westermani accounts for the vast majority of human infections, other flukes that have entered humans include P.Uterobilateralis, P.Ohirai, P.Peruvianus, P.Mexicanus, P.Iloktsuensis, P.Africanus, P.Caliensis and P.Kellicotti.

    Naming

    • Paragonimus westermani was named after a zookeeper who first discovered the fluke in a Bengal tiger in 1878.

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