File:Paragonimiasis - Case 285 (13381834863).jpg

Paragonimiasis is caused by the lung fluke Paragonimus westermani which is most prominent in Asia and South America. Infection in humans is contracted by the ingestion of a crab or crayfish harboring the metacercariae. The metacercariae excyst in the small intestine and penetrate the intestinal wall gaining entrance to the peritoneal cavity and are then able to penetrate the diaphragm and invade the lungs where they develop into adults.The adult worms usually become surrounded by a fibrous capsule but they may also inhabit the airways. Ova are coughed up and either expectorated or swallowed and then excreted. If the ova find their way into water the miracidia emerge from the ova which may then be ingested by a suitable snail. Cercariae leave the snail and then invade a crab or crayfish where they develop into metacercariae, the infective stage for humans. In this image part of an adult worm is present within a bronchus. Note the presence of numerous large ova in the in the left upper quadrant.