A New Focus of Pleuro-Pulmonary Paragonimiasis in Manjo Health District, Littoral Region of Cameroon
Roger Moyou-Somo *
Department of Microbiology, Hematology, Parasitology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, and the Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies (IMPM), Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Hervé Blaise Mfouapong-Ewane
Department of Microbiology, Hematology, Parasitology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.
Therese Nkoa
Department of Microbiology, Hematology, Parasitology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, and Regional Delegation for Public Health, Center Region, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Blanche Etaluka-Mungo
Blanche Etaluka Mungo, Bamenda Regional Hospital, Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon.
Walter Kum-Kan
Walter Kum-Kan, Manjo District Hospital, Manjo, Littoral Region, Cameroon.
Charles Kefie-Arrey
Charles Kefie Arrey, Bamenda Regional Hospital, Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Abstracts
Background: Paragonimiasis is a food-borne parasitic disease caused by lung flukes of the genus Paragonimus. Cameroon has five known foci of paragonimiasis. Recently, 2 children from the Manjo health district were diagnosed of paragonimiasis at the near-by Ndoungué hospital. The aim of the present study was to determine whether Manjo district is endemic for paragonimiasis.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in Manjo health district, Littoral Region of Cameroon. A stool and a sputum samples obtained from each participant were examined in search of paragonimus eggs. Crabs from local streams were dissected in search of paragonimus metacercariae.
Results: Two hundred and fourteen participants were recruited (49.1% males and 50.1% females with an age range from 3-75 years and a mean of 15.73±10.72 years. 1.9% of subjects had eggs of paragonimus in their stools and/or sputum. Eight out of twenty crabs dissected (40%) were positive for metacercariae.
Conclusion: Manjo health district is endemic for paragonimiasis and should be considered as the 6th focus of the disease in Cameroon.
Keywords: Paragonimiasis, Manjo district, Cameroon