A Parasitic Infection From Eating Raw Or Undercooked Crabs and Crayfish

Back in 2006, the Orange County Health Care Agency had a relatively unusual situation where several people were diagnosed with lung infections from the parasite, Paragonimus.

It was narrowed down to a few restaurants that were serving sawagani crabs. Apparently several patrons were drinking and challenging each other to eat the tiny crabs raw.

After 6 to 10 weeks a total of eight restaurant patrons were showing the following symptoms: cough, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and hives. The presence of the parasite was laboratory confirmed.

There are several species of the lung fluke, Paragonimus that infect humans. Paragonimus westermani also known as the oriental lung fluke is very common in most parts of Asia. In North America the species is Paragonimus kellicotti.

People get this parasite by eating undercooked or raw crustaceans, mostly crabs and crayfish. After ingesting the parasite it penetrates the intestines and migrates through the abdomen, the diaphragm and to the final destination being the lungs.

During acute infection, mostly through migration of the parasite, the symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, cough and hives. Then during the chronic stage where the adults are lodged in the lungs the symptoms are more respiratory related; cough and bloody sputum are most common.

A serious danger with Paragonimus is during the migration of the fluke where it can end up in other organs, the most serious being the brain.

Paragonimus is diagnosed by finding the parasite's eggs microscopically in either feces or sputum samples. The parasite can be treated with the anti-parasitic drug Praziquantel.

So ensure you thoroughly cook any crustacean to prevent this unusual parasitic infection.