Clinical characteristics of toxoplasmosis patients in Korea: A retrospective study using health insurance review and assessment service data and electronic medical records
- Author:
Do-Won HAM
1
;
Bong-Kwang JUNG
;
Ji-Hun SHIN
;
Yong Joon KIM
;
Kyoung Yul SEO
;
Seung Mi LEE
;
Jae Hyoung IM
;
Jeong-Ran KWON
;
Ho-Sung LEE
;
Kyung-Won HWANG
;
Eun-Hee SHIN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From: Parasites, Hosts and Diseases 2024;62(4):424-437
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: This study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with toxoplasmosis in Korea. We collected and analyzed the specific research data of 5,917 patients from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA; 2007–2020) and 533 electronic medical records (EMRs; 2003–2021) of Korean patients. The HIRA data showed that toxoplasmosis is an endemic disease that occurs constantly in Korea, with a large proportion of patients complaining of ocular symptoms. Of the 533 patients for whom EMR data were available, 54.6% were diagnosed with toxoplasmosis; ocular toxoplasmosis (35.7%), congenital toxoplasmosis (4.7%), cerebral toxoplasmosis (4.1%), pulmonary toxoplasmosis (0.4%), and toxoplasma hepatitis (0.6%), in order of frequency. In ocular cases, 54.4% of the patients had diverse ocular pathologies. Toxoplasmosis in Korea is characterized by a high frequency of ocular symptoms, most patients are adults, and 51.8% of patients with seropositivity were positive for IgG, suggesting prior infection. This study highlights that patients with ocular symptoms are included in the major diagnosis group for acquired toxoplasmosis in Korea.
