Metagonimus yokogawai

1-3 mm intestinal worms that infect humans. Epidemiology: 1) common parasites in Asia, but are found in other parts of the world 2) infection occurs after eating undercooked fresh water fish Pathology: -> worms attach to & at times burrow into the intestinal mucosa, eliciting an inflammatory response Clinical manifestations: 1) abdominal pain 2) diarrhea Laboratory: 1) eggs are operculate, measure 15-17 x 20-30 um 2) differentiation from eggs of Clonorchis & Opisthorchis may be difficult Management: 1) infections are generally self-limited because the worms have a life span of only a few months 2) praziquantel 25 mg/kg TID for 1 day

Properties

KINGDOM: animal PHYLUM: helminth

References

Clinical Diagnosis & Management by Laboratory Methods, 19th edition, J.B. Henry (ed), W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, PA. 1996, pg 1290