Paragonimus miyazakii

This digenean trematode is endemic to Japan. Mammalian hosts, such as weasels, sables and wild boars, get infected by eating infected freshwater crabs. The adult flukes infect the host’s lungs. Because humans are not suitable appropriate hosts, as the parasite is not adapted to human physiology, immature flukes migrate within the thoracic cavity, causing pleural effusion and pneumothorax.

MPM holds the holotype specimen, which was used for the original description of this parasite as a new species [MPM Collection No. 19054].