American Paragonimiasis Treated with Praziquantel

Abstract

PARAGONIMUS species native to the United States have been found commonly in animals.1 , 2 However, unlike the human illness associated with Paragonimus westermani in Asia, infection acquired in North or South America has rarely been documented in human beings.1 2 3 We report on a patient who was infected with a paragonimus species after eating raw crayfish in Missouri. The symptoms of his illness were typical of paragonimiasis. Treatment with praziquantel, a new tremalodicide,4 5 6 resulted in prompt resolution of the illness, with no adverse effects. The epidemiology of infection with American paragonimus species and related intermediate hosts suggests that physicians throughout the United . . .