[A new focus of human paragonimosis discovered in Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa): the case of the Lauzoua Island].

Fifteen cases of human paragonimosis were detected in Ivory Coast from 1974 to 1999. Since no further cases have been reported, an epidemiological survey was carried out in local health centers. The purpose of this paper is to described a new focus of paragonimosis discovered on Lauzoua Island. Clinical and parasitological examinations were performed on 17 patients presenting chronic cough, haemoptysis and/or epilepsy. Stools belonging to cats, dogs and pigs as well as river crustaceans were also examined to identify parasite eggs and metacercariae respectively. Paragonimus eggs were found in stools and/or sputum of five patients. Measurements of these eggs after fixation in formalin allowed division into three groups. Stools from cats, dogs and pigs were negative. Small Paragonimus metacercariae (mean: 277 to 323 microm) were found in three Callinectes marginatus crabs (out of 15 caught near the island). No metacercariae were found in local prawns. The presence of these three Paragonimus egg groups as well as of infected crabs near the island will require further study to identify the species and determine the prevalence of each in human infection.