2018 Volume 71 Issue 8 Pages 449-453
Anti-Paragonimus westermani antibodies were detected in 4 heads (Areas B and C) in a total of 148 Sika deer (Cervus nippon centralis ) captured in three areas (A, B and C) in Gifu Prefecture. In Areas B and C, there are reports of human paragonimiasis suspected of being caused by consumption of deer meat. In addition, metacercaria of P. westermani (diploid type) was detected in a Japanese freshwater crab, Geothelphusa dehaani, in Area B. The contents of deer rumen were tested with a commercial food allergen screening kit (crustaceans), and it was positive in one deer from Area B. The positive rumen contents were further examined and material resembling crustacean limbs was found, from which DNA was extracted and identified as of G. dehaani. These results suggest that deer may eat G. dehaani and potentially become infected with P. westermani as a paratenic host.
