Two Cases of Paragonimiasis in Young Siblings Presenting with Pleural Effusion and Subcutaneous Nodules / 소아과

ABSTRACT

Paragonimiasis is the infestation of lung flukes of the trematode genus Paragonimus. This disease is common in Asia, and the southern part of Korea has been known as one of the endemic areas of Paragonimiasis westermanii in Korea. Human infection is associated with specific dietary habits, such as eating freshwater crawfish or crabs. In a 6 1/2-year-old boy with pleural effusion and eosinophilia, paragonimiasis was diagnosed by skin test, serologic exam, and histologic identification of the parasites in a skin lesion. The same diagnosis was entertained in his elder sister with silent pleural effusion. We describe herewith these rare cases of paragonimiasis in two siblings who had a history of eating cooked freshwater crabs.