Identification of Paragonimus mexicanus and P. caliensis in freshwater crabs from Costa Rica: evidence of zoonotic lung fluke diversity in Central America.

ABSTRACT: Paragonimus spp. are foodborne trematodes with complex life cycles involving freshwater snails and decapod crustaceans. In Central America, Paragonimus mexicanus is a known zoonotic agent, whereas the public health significance of P. caliensis remains unclear. Between 2015 and 2016, we surveyed freshwater crabs across 51 sites in 15 river basins spanning three major climatic regions in Costa Rica. A total of 419 crabs (10 species) were examined for metacercariae; male crabs were identified morphologically, and infected females were identified to species by 16S rRNA and COI sequencing. Metacercariae were detected in six crab species, three of which represent new hosts of Paragonimus. The highest prevalence in male crabs occurred in Ptychophallus uncinatus (55.6%, 25/45). Molecular analyses

SUBMITTER: Wehrtmann IS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12799009 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature