Abstract: Objective To investigate the endemic status of the first intermediate host species of Paragonimus and its cercaria infection in Pingnan County for evidence to prevent paragonimiasis infection in the local area. Methods By the cases of paragonimiasis as clues,we collected the snail samples in the creek holes in Tianfeng village,Daixi Town,Pingnan County of Fujian Province,where the creek crabs were preyed the patients before infection. The snail habitats were observed,and the snail species was morphologically identified. The status of Paragonimus cercaria infection was examined by direct compression method,with the infection rate and morphology being calculated and identified. Results Totally,3 species of snails were collected,and identified as P. ianouensis,Assimenea, Semisulcospira libertine by their morphology. A total of 2 341 P. jianouensis snails were examined,of which 6 were positive for Paragonimus cercariae,and the infection rate was 0. 26% (6 / 2 341),yet no cercariae were detected in 1 276 Assimenea and 2 215 Semisulcospira libertine snails. The cercariae were eventually identified as Paragonimus skrjabini. Conclusion Tianfeng village is a newly discovered natural focus for Paragonimus skrjabini. Our findings suggest that public health education on paragonimiasis should be strengthened in order to prevent the prevalence of paragonimiasis in the rural areas.

Key words: Paragonimus, First intermediate host, P. jianouensis, Assimenea, Semisulcospira libertine, Cercariae