[Clinical analysis of 50 cases of serous cavity effusion related with paragonimiasis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of serous cavity effusion related with paragonimiasis, so as to improve the physician's ability of the clinical diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS: The clinical data of 50 cases of serous cavity effusion related with paragonimiasis diagnosed in a hospital in recent 3 years were collected and retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: Among the 50 patients, there were 35 males and 15 females, and 35 children and 15 adults. Eighteen patients had a clear history of exposure to the foci. Among the children, the respiratory symptoms accounted for 68.6% (24/35), gastrointestinal symptoms for 22.9% (8/35), and no apparent symptoms for 8.6% (3/35); among the adults, the respiratory symptoms accounted for 93.3% (14/15) and the abdominal distention for 6.7% (1/15). The paragonimus antibody was positive in all the patients. The chest radiography or CT showed pulmonary inflammatory exudation and serous cavity effusion. Eosinophilia in blood was found in 25 cases, a large number of eosinophils in serous cavity effusion were found under microscopy in 12 cases, and eosinophil infiltration of pleura was found in 7 cases. All were cured after the patients received chemotherapy (praziquantel) and drainage fluid.

CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations of paragonimiasis are not very specific and paragonimiasis is often accompanied with serous cavity effusions. Clinically, paragonimiasis is easily misdiagnosed as tuberculosis or cancer. We should consider about the possibility of paragonimiasis when eosinophil is high in blood, serous cavity effusion and pleura.