A 32-year-old woman in Shanghai faced a rare and perplexing health issue. She suffered from a persistent cough, accompanied by occasional bloody phlegm, which she coughed up two to three times daily. This condition had been ongoing for four months. Interestingly, a month before the coughing began, she experienced a fever that lasted several weeks, reaching a temperature of 100.8 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius).
Initially, her doctors prescribed steroids to reduce lung tissue inflammation, but her cough persisted for two months. A CT scan revealed recurring lung lesions, prompting a transfer to a different hospital for further evaluation. The doctors at this new hospital delved into her medical history, noting her dietary habits, which included raw seafood and, notably, a preference for raw frogs and bullfrogs. A blood test uncovered antibodies to Spirometra mansoni, a tapeworm larva, indicating a parasitic infection.
The infection, known as sparganosis, is typically found in tissues near the skin's surface and rarely migrates to internal organs. This case marked the first documented instance of sparganosis in the lungs in Shanghai. The patient's frog, sourced from her region, was dissected and found to be carrying S. mansoni larvae. The doctors treated her with praziquantel tablets, a drug effective against various parasitic worms, and her symptoms improved.
Despite the initial misdiagnosis, the patient's condition improved, and her coughing subsided after five days of treatment. Follow-up CT scans and blood tests confirmed the infection's resolution, with only trace amounts of antibodies remaining in her blood. The doctors determined that no further treatment was necessary, as her white blood cell count was normal.
This unique case highlights the importance of considering dietary habits and cultural practices in medical diagnosis. It also underscores the rarity of lung infections caused by S. mansoni larvae, which are typically associated with raw snake or frog consumption in eastern Asia. The patient's recovery serves as a testament to the effectiveness of targeted treatment, even in unusual parasitic infections.
