A Survey of Intestinal Protozoan Infections among Gastroenteritis Patients during a 3-Year Period (2004-2006) in Gyeonggi-do (Province), South Korea.
10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.303
- Author:
Jeong Weon HUH
1
;
Su Gyeong MOON
;
Young Hee LIM
Author Information
1. Gyeonggido Institute of Health and Environment, Suwon 404-290, Korea.
- Publication Type:Brief Communication
- Keywords:
Giardia lamblia;
Entamoeba histolytica;
Cryptosporidium parvum;
gastroenteritis;
epidemiology;
antigen detection ELISA
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Adult;
Age Distribution;
Animals;
Child;
Child, Preschool;
Data Collection;
Eukaryota/*isolation & purification;
Feces/parasitology;
Gastroenteritis/*epidemiology/parasitology;
Humans;
Infant;
Protozoan Infections/*epidemiology/parasitology;
Republic of Korea/epidemiology;
Seasons;
Young Adult
- From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology
2009;47(3):303-305
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The incidence and etiology of parasite-associated gastroenteritis during 2004-2006 in Gyeonggi-do (province), South Korea was determined by means of antigen detection ELISA on 6,071 stool specimens collected from 6 general hospitals. At least 1 parasitic agent was detected in 3.4% (208/6,071) of the stool samples. Among these, Giardia lamblia was the most numerous (152 cases; 2.5%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica (25 cases; 0.4%), Cryptosporidium parvum (23 cases; 0.4%), and mixed infections (8 cases; 0.1%). Patients aged 1-5 years had the largest proportion (69.2%; 144/208) of parasite-positive stool specimens. Parasite-mediated gastroenteritis was most common from June to September. The detection rate gradually increased from 2004 to 2006. This study shows that parasite-mediated gastroenteritis may be significant among children in Korea and that parasite infection surveillance should be constantly performed.
