This species of Paragonimus has an intricate lifecycle, and although its name may suggest that it is only a health concern in North America, it is also prominent in Southeast Asia and China.

[1] Early larval stages are found in snails and later move on to crustaceans, primarily crawfish and crabs.

Once the fluke has been ingested, enzymes within the digestive tract of the consumer break down the parasitic cysts.

The immature parasite continues to mature within the lungs of its new host, feeding on its intestine, and lay eggs.

The frequent victims of this infection in North America are small animals that feed on crayfish, such as otters, skunks, and mink.

However, a lung fluke infection is differentiated from tuberculosis by increased eosinophils in the blood and pleural fluid.

A P. kellicottii treatment in humans consists oral medication of praziquantel over a minimum of three days to achieve a 100% cure rate [3] when the parasite is located in the lungs.