CHEST Guidelines-Response_chest

Response_chest_12

Pdf Summary

In a correspondence published in the March 2015 issue of CHEST, authors Danai Khemasuwan, Carol F. Farver, and Atul C. Mehta respond to Dr. Martínez-Girón's observations on their article about parabasalids, a group of flagellated protozoa that can rarely cause lung diseases. Their article delves into the specifics of pulmonary infestations by parasites like <em>Lophomonas blattarum</em>, although such occurrences are rare and predominantly reported in Southern China due to prevalent hosts, such as termites and cockroaches. The symptoms for these infections tend to be non-specific, such as productive cough, hemoptysis, and dyspnea.

For <em>Lophomonas blattarum</em>, the diagnosis is confirmed through microscopic examination of sputum smears or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and metronidazole is recommended as the treatment. Another organism, <em>Trichomonas vaginalis</em>, primarily a sexually transmitted pathogen, can sometimes involve the respiratory tract, especially in neonates or adults with a history of orogenital contact. Still, respiratory involvement in adults is exceedingly rare.

The authors highlight the importance of maintaining a high clinical suspicion for parabasalids infections in suitable clinical contexts, as their respiratory involvement is not commonly encountered in adults. They emphasize that diagnosis relies on the identification of parasites in respiratory specimens. The correspondence underscores the significance of awareness among pulmonologists and the unique exposure risks of these organisms. The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest in their study and the correspondence closes with contact information for further communications.

Keywords

parabasalids

Lophomonas blattarum

pulmonary infestations

respiratory infections

microscopic examination

metronidazole

Trichomonas vaginalis

sputum smear

bronchoalveolar lavage

pulmonologists