Case 1A 51-year-old woman visited our hospital to seek treatment for general myalgia and lower extremity weakness that had persisted for 1 month. She had previously undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of her cervical and lumbar spines to determine the cause of her lower extremity weakness; however, the results provided no clear explanation. Her chief complaints had not been resolved by traditional rehabili-
Three Cases of Paragonimiasis in a FamilyKorean J Parasitol. Vol. 47, No. 3: 281-285, September 2009 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2009 Abstract: Paragonimiasis typically results from the consumption of raw or improperly cooked crustacea, especially crabs and crayfish. Although previously endemic in Korea, the prevalence of this disease decreased in the early 1970s because of educational campaigns and fewer intermediate hosts as a result of ecological changes. Recently, we were presented with a family where all members were infected with Paragonimus after ingestion of Kejang (= drunken crab). The mother was hospitalized for general myalgia and weakness first, followed by the father, who was hospitalized for dyspnea 2 month later. After the parents were diagnosed with paragonimiasis, we recommended their daughter to visit our hospital for a checkup, because they all had eaten freshwater crabs soaked in soybean sauce. She complained of generalized myalgia, fever, and pleuritic pain, and was also diagnosed with paragonimiasis. Peripheral blood of the 3 patients revealed hypereosinophilia, and computed tomography (CT) scans of their chests showed pleural effusion. The results of antibody tests by ELISA were positive for paragonimiasis. We report here the case series of familial paragonimiasis in a modern urban city, rather than in a typical endemic area.