Pulmonary paragonimiasis with coincidental malignant mesothelioma

Abstract

A 72-year-old man patient was referred to our institution for evaluation and treatment of right pleural effusion. Eosinophilic pleural effusion and peripheral eosinophilia were identified during the course of hospitalization. Pulmonary paragonimiasis was confirmed by the presence of paragonimus-specific IgG antibodies for Paragonimus (P.) westermani and P. miyazakii in his serum. Although Praziquantel, a highly effective agent for the treatment of lung flukes was repeatedly administered, the pleural effusion did not subside and the patient's condition gradually deteriorated until his death due to circulatory insufficiency. Postmortem examination revealed malignant mesothelioma of the sarcomatous type encasing the right lung and heart. Cardiac involvement accompanied with old and recent-onset myocardial ischemic changes resulted in death of this patient. Here, we report a very rare case of malignant mesothelioma with a concomitant infection of parasitic lung fluke. © 2008 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.