Asymptomatic Human Paragonimiasis among the Karen People in Tak Province, Thailand: A Case Report
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During the mobile clinic activities in Tak Province, Thailand, <i>Paragonimus</i> sp. eggs were found in a fecal sample of a 72-year-old Karen resident. <i>Paragonimus</i> DNA was amplified from the stool sample and identified to <i>P. heterotremus</i>. The patient did not have any symptoms. Apparent pulmonary lesion was not found on the chest X-ray. The patient admitted habitual consumption of semi-cooked or roasted waterfall crabs for several years. The waterfall crabs collected from stream near the village were found negative for <i>Paragonimus</i> metacercariae. In northern Thailand, paragonimiasis remains as one of the public health concerns and should be ruled out for asymptomatic pulmonary patients.