Paragonimus Westermani Infection in Wild Mammals and Crustacean Host in Malaysia

SummaryLung flukes from two tigers, Felis tigris, and a crab-eating monkey, Macaca irus irus, in Malaysia were identified as Paragonimus westermani (Kerbert, 1878), not P. kellicotti Ward, 1908 and P. macacae, Sandosham, 1953 as reported from these hosts by Vevers and Sandosham, respectively. The structures used for the identification were the 6-lobed ovary and the singly spaced cuticular spines of the adults. In a brook at the Ulu Langat Forest Reserve where one of the parasitized tigers was shot, the only molluscan host was Brotia sp., 12 of which were collected and found to be uninfected. The only crab present was Potamon (Potamon) johorense Roux, 1936 and it was found to be infected with metacercariae of P. westermani (4 out of 5). This is the first report of a crustacean host of P. westermani in Malaysia, and P. (P.) johorense represents a new host record.