A survey of Brugia malayi infection on the Heugsan Islands, Korea.
- Author:
Jong Yil CHAI
1
;
Soon Hyung LEE
;
Sung Yil CHOI
;
Jong Soo LEE
;
Tai Soon YONG
;
Kyun Jong PARK
;
Kyeong Ae YANG
;
Keon Hoon LEE
;
Mi Jeng PARK
;
Hyung Ran PARK
;
Mi Ja KIM
;
Han Jong RIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Brief Communication ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- MeSH: Aged; Animals; Brugia malayi/*isolation & purification; Elephantiasis, Filarial/*epidemiology; Female; Geography; Humans; Korea/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology 2003;41(1):69-73
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Lymphatic filariasis due to Brugia malayi infection was endemic in several areas of South Korea. The infection was controlled, or disappeared, in most areas, with the exception of the remote southwestern islands of Jeonranam-do, including the Heugsan Islands. To discover its current situation, a small-scale survey was performed on the Heugsan Islands in September 2000. A total of 378 people, 151 male and 227 female, living in 8 villages (6 on Daeheugsan-do, 1 on Daejang-do, and 1 on Yeongsan-do) were subjected to a night blood survey for microfilaremia, and physical examination for elephantiasis on the extremities. There were 6 (1.6%) microfilaria positive cases, all in females aged 57-72 years, and from only two villages of the Daeheugsan-do area. There were 4 patients with lower leg elephantiasis, but they showed no microfilaremia. The results show that a low-grade endemicity of filariasis remains on the Daeheugsan-do.
