The diagnosis of endemic haemoptysis is readily made by finding the operculated eggs in the more or less sanguinolent sputum. These eggs are of a light yellow color and average 90 × 65 microns. One often sees Charcot-Leyden crystals in the sputum.
As prophylactic measures we should forbid uncooked crabs or crayfish. The sputum should be sterilized.
The treatment is entirely symptomatic.
Fig. 116.—Ova of Clonorchis sinensis. After Bell and Sutton. (Jefferys and Maxwell.)
Clonorchiosis
This is an infection due to a trematode, Clonorchis endemicus (Opisthorchis sinensis). It is also referred to as human liver fluke disease. It is true that the common liver fluke of sheep, Fasciola hepatica, may occur in man but such infections are rare, only 23 cases having been reported. Another liver fluke of ruminants is the lancet fluke, Dicrocoelium lanceatum, but it is also unimportant for man, only 7 cases having been reported.
Clonorchis infections are common in China and Japan, the fluke being about ½ inch long by ⅛ inch wide. There is considerable dispute as to whether we have a pathogenic and nonpathogenic Clonorchis; the name C. endemicus applying to the former and C. sinensis to the latter.
Looss considered the nonpathogenic C. sinensis to be larger (13-19 mm.), to show pigment in its parenchyma and to have breaks in the vitelline glands. C. endemicus was reported as smaller (10 to 13 mm.), and without pigment or breaks in the continuity of the vitellaria.