Cough and pleural disease in a Burmese immigrant-a masquerader

Abstract

We present a case of a 58 year old Burmese male who presented to our center with progressive pulmonary and constitutional symptoms after treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis. Our investigation revealed peripheral and bronchogenic eosinophilia and clinical features consistent with progressive pulmonary paragonimiasis. After serological confirmation of the diagnosis, the patient had resolution of symptoms with praziaquantel therapy for the condition. This case highlights the importance of considering this diagnosis when there is a possibility of undercooked shellfish exposure especially in immigrants from endemic areas for paragonimiasis where raw shellfish is more commonly ingested.

Keywords

• cavitary lung disease
• paragonimiasis
• praziquantel
• tuberculosis
• undercooked shellfish