Sparganosis presenting as pericardial effusion and lung lesions

Abstract

We herein report a rare form of sparganosis in a 29-year-old man presenting with pericardial effusion and lung lesions. The diagnosis was confirmed by the patient’s history of eating inadequately cooked snake, significant elevated eosinophils in the peripheral blood and pericardial effusion, and marked positive reactions against Sparganum mansoni antigen in the serum. After two consecutive doses of praziquantel treatment, the patient’s symptoms and laboratory and imaging findings were improved. Both specific antibody detection and follow-up of the patient’s eosinophils, serum antibody, and imaging changes are important for sparganosis diagnosis, particularly in cases without a subcutaneous lump or mass.