Contribution to the study of pulmonary paragonimiasis

Abstract

Forty-seven cases of pulmonary paragonimiasis, diagnosed in the Liga Ecuatoriana Antiturbeculosa Dispensaries in Quito, are presented. In all patients, the presence of Paragonimus eggs in the sputum and/or gastric contents was verified.

The present work corresponds to a period of 17 years of observation, between 1949 and 1965. Most of the patients were male, adolescents and agricultural workers. Almost all of the patients presented cough and hemoptoic expectoration. Hemoptysis, generally of small amounts, was another striking symptom. Despite these symptoms, the general condition of the patients was not greatly affected.

The presence of M. tuberculosis was also found in 5 patients. A high number of patients presented moderate to high leukocytes, accompanied by casinophilia, which sometimes exceeds up to 10%. Hyporamic anemia was a rare finding. Most of the patients had hemoglobin within normal limits. The characteristic radiological image was the presence of infiltrated areas with a pneumonic appearance, located in the pericardial regions. In some cases ulcerations were found in the parenchyma, signs of pleural and pericardial effusion.

The chronic and benign evolution of the disease is highlighted. The poor response to the administration of emetine and other drugs is established. The need for a systematic health education campaign to prevent pulmonary paragonimiosis is stressed.