This study was undertaken in order to elucidate the prevalences of the intestinal protozoan infection according to localities and the mode of the infestation in the mountainous area of Chollapuk-do, Korea during the year 1970-1971. 8,508 of fecal samples were collected among the inhabitants of the mountainous area, which covered 18 Myens(=Township) from 6 Guns(=County) in the eastern part of Chollapuk-do. Most of the inhabitants of this area were engaged in farming and living under lower economic and poor sanitary conditions. The samples were examined twice repeatedly by iodine stained direct fecal smear method. For the study on the mode of infestation, with the exception of drinking water, the zinc sulfate floatation technic was applied for the examinations of hog-feces, manure heap, garden soil, sewage, dishtowel, dust in room and floor, house fly and house rat. The results were summarized as follows: Among total 8,508 fecal specimens examined, 3,152(37.6 percent) were positive for the intestinal protozoa: E. histolytica 9.8 percent, E. coli 25.6 percent, E. nana 7.2 percent, G lamblia 6.8 percent, I. butschlii 0.6 percent, and C. mensnili 0.7 percent. A single infection of the intestinal protozoa was the highest(68.3 percent), and double infection(22.3 percent) triple, quadruple and quintuple infections were in decreasing order. The highest distribution (39.8 percent) was observed in the group aging 41-50, and the lowest (27.3 percent) in the group above 61. The groups under 10 years showed a relatively high positive rate among all age groups. Sexual distribution of protozoan infection showed slightly higher rate (38.6 percent) in male than that (35.4 percent) of female. Jangsoo-gun showed the highest positive rate (42.9 percent) and Namwon-gun was the lowest (32.5 percent). The prevalence of E. histolytica showed the highest (11.6 percent) in Imsil-gun and the lowest (6.9 percent) in Jangsoo-gun. E. histolytica cysts were found 9.1 percent among total 99 samples of hog feces, 4.8 percent among 78 samples of manure heap, 0.6 percent among 164 samples of fingernail dirt, 5.3 percent among 57 samples of drinking water, 15.8 percent among 19 samples of sewage, 7.1 percent among 42 samples of dishtowel, 0.1 percent among 780 samples of house fly and 5.0 percent among 40 samples of house rat.
parasitology-protozoa ; Entamoeba coli ; Entamoeba histolytica ; Giardia lamblia ; Endolimax nana ; Iodamoeba butschlii ; Chilomastix mesnili ; epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Due to a reduction in the number of parasite infections, attention paid to the importance of intestinal parasites has decreased. However, intestinal parasite infections remain ubiquitous and have reappeared as a growing problem in recent decades due to changing lifestyles such as increased overseas travel. In this study, we evaluated trends in intestinal parasite infection using stool examination in a single institute. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2012, we reviewed all stool examination results performed at Samsung Medical Center. Fecal examinations were performed by formalin-ether sedimentation. RESULTS: A total 429,866 stool examinations were performed resulting in 14,672 cases with positive findings of helminth eggs or protozoan cysts, of which the positive rate was 3.41% on average. The annual positive rate decreased from 5.68% in 2003 to 2.43% in 2012. The positive rate of intestinal parasites, excepting Endolimax nana and Entamoeba coli, was 1.52% on average. Positive rates decreased from 2.13% to 1.10% for helminth egg detections and from 2.55% to 1.30% for protozoan cyst detections during the same time period. Among nematodes, Trichuris tricuria was the most common and had an increasing positive rate after 2010. Clonorchis sinensis was the most prevalent trematode parasite, with an annual average of 528 cases. CONCLUSION: Infection rates of intestinal parasites have decreased over the last 10 years. However, Trichuris tricuria has reappeared and has become a major contributor to parasite infections. Further education and control efforts are needed for greater prevention and eventual eradication of parasitic infections.
Clonorchis sinensis ; Eggs ; Endolimax ; Entamoeba ; Helminths ; Korea ; Life Style ; Ovum ; Parasites ; Trichuris

The present study was designed to elucidate the recent prevalence of the intestinal protozoa and to demonstrate the relationship on prevalence of the surveyed population with their academic career and living conditions. During the period from May to July 1981, total 2,735 fecal specimens were collected from the inhabitants of 11 areas in Gyeong-gi Do (province) near by Seoul City, and 6 areas in Jeonra Bug Do, southwestern part of Korea. The samples were fixed with SAF solution and were examined by formalin-ether sedimentation technique. The results are summarized as follows: Overall positive rate of intestinal protozoa was 11.1 percent: Gyeong-gi Do, 10.7 percent; Jeonra Bug Do, 11.7 percent. Five species of intestinal protozoa were detected: Entamoeba histolytica 0.69 percent, Entamoeba coli 5.52 percent, Endolimax nana 2.71 percent, Giardia lamblia 2.23 percent, Iodamoeba butschlii 0.l8 percent. Highest positive rates among the examined areas were recognized: Incheon City of Gyeong-gi Do, 26.7 percent; Im-sil Gun(county) of Jeonra Bug Do, 19.9 percent. By species, E. nana showed the highest prevalence rate (13.74 percent) in Incheon City, and E. histolytica (2.37 percent) and E. coli (9.95 percent) in Im-sil Gun. Prevalence of E. histolytica in rural areas was higher than in urban areas. No significant difference in the prevalence rate by sex and age was recognized, although the group under 10 years and over 60 years were lower than in other age groups. The highest positive rate of E. histolytica was observed in pauper group and significant linearity of prevalence rate of E. histolytica by monthly income was observed. The inhabitants who used conventional latrine showed higher prevalence, 11.5 percent, than the group of inhabitants who used modified privy. Although no significant difference of positive rate was recognized by academic career, but the lowest prevalence rate was observed in college graduates. Over half of the surveyed population, 64.8 percent has no experience on anthelmintic practice. Number of anthelmintic application resulted no difference in prevalence. In conclusion, prevalences of intestinal protozoa in Gyeong-gi Do and Jeonra Bug Do decreased remarkably in comparison with those of one decade before. However, economic level, academic career and anthelmintic administration seemed no essential reasons for such declination.
parasitology-protozoa ; epidemiology ; Entamoeba histolytica ; Entamoeba coli ; Endolimax nana ; Giardia lamblia ; Iodamoeba butschlii

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Contemporary clinicians have very little understanding of the importance of preventing parasitic disease. This aim of this study was to estimate trends in intestinal parasitic disease via stool examination in healthy Korean adults. METHODS: We reviewed stool examination results to detect any intestinal parasite infections in newly examined healthy patients at the Health Promotion Center of Samsung Medical Center from 2000 to 2006. RESULTS: The rates of overall intestinal parasite infection showed substantial growth from 2000 to 2006: 2.51%, 2.63%, 3.56%, 4.04%, 4.48%, 3.94%, and 4.45% (p<0.001) for 2000 to 2006, respectively. Rates of infection with helminthic eggs (five species) increased from 0.80% in 2000 to 1.50% in 2006 (p<0.001). This trend corresponds to the positive rate of Clonorchis sinensis helminthes (0.45% to 1.43%; p<0.001). Total protozoan cysts infection (four species) also increased (from 1.96% to 2.99%, p<0.001), especially with infection of Endolimax nana (1.15% to 2.23%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of intestinal parasite infection have increased over the last seven years, especially with C. sinensis and E. nana. These results demonstrate that Korean doctors should pay more attention to the diagnosis and treatment of parasite infections to further patient education and prevent parasitic infections.
Adult ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Eggs ; Endolimax ; Health Promotion ; Helminths ; Humans ; Ovum ; Parasites ; Parasitic Diseases ; Patient Education as Topic

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Contemporary clinicians have very little understanding of the importance of preventing parasitic disease. This aim of this study was to estimate trends in intestinal parasitic disease via stool examination in healthy Korean adults. METHODS: We reviewed stool examination results to detect any intestinal parasite infections in newly examined healthy patients at the Health Promotion Center of Samsung Medical Center from 2000 to 2006. RESULTS: The rates of overall intestinal parasite infection showed substantial growth from 2000 to 2006: 2.51%, 2.63%, 3.56%, 4.04%, 4.48%, 3.94%, and 4.45% (p<0.001) for 2000 to 2006, respectively. Rates of infection with helminthic eggs (five species) increased from 0.80% in 2000 to 1.50% in 2006 (p<0.001). This trend corresponds to the positive rate of Clonorchis sinensis helminthes (0.45% to 1.43%; p<0.001). Total protozoan cysts infection (four species) also increased (from 1.96% to 2.99%, p<0.001), especially with infection of Endolimax nana (1.15% to 2.23%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of intestinal parasite infection have increased over the last seven years, especially with C. sinensis and E. nana. These results demonstrate that Korean doctors should pay more attention to the diagnosis and treatment of parasite infections to further patient education and prevent parasitic infections.
Adult ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Eggs ; Endolimax ; Health Promotion ; Helminths ; Humans ; Ovum ; Parasites ; Parasitic Diseases ; Patient Education as Topic

A survey on the prevalence of intestinal protozoan cysts was conductcd in Jeonlanam Do (Province), Korea in 1981. A total of 4,116 specimens was collected from 2,035 male and 2,086 female inhabitants in 4 urban and 7 rural areas. Each case was selected randomly to represent 1,000 inhabitants referred to the census in 1980. Formalin-Ether sedimentation technique was employed to concentrate the cysts and one Lugol's iodine stained smear was examined for each case. The results were summarized as follows: The cases who passed out protozoan cysts of any kind were 9.1 percent out of total 4,116 examined, and cumulative positive rate was 11.0 percent. Among the positive cases, 16.5 percent were infected by two or more species of protozoa. Total 5 species of cysts were detected and the positive rates were as follows; Entamoeba histolytica 1.4 percent, E. Coli, 4.9 percent, Endolimax nana 2.5 percent, Iodamoeba butschlii 0.4 percent and Giardia lamblia 1.9 percent. The cyst positive rates varied greatly by the surveyed area. The positive rate in rural area was 11.6 percent compared with 5.7 percent in urban area. The highest rate was found 14.5 percent in Gurye Gun (County) and the lowest 3.6 percent in Mogpo Si (City). Female showed much higher positive rate than male as 11.8 percent compared with 6.4 percent and the cumulative rate 14.2 percent and 7.6 percent respectively. By age group, the rate was highest as 13.9 percent in 40-49 years and next 12.5 percent in over 60 years group. The cyst prevalence rate diminished remarkably in Jeonlanam Do compared to previous records. However, the finding that 20.2 percent of females of 40 years were the carrier of protozoan cysts was an important information in public health point of view.
parasitology-protozoa ; Entamoeba histolytica ; Entamoeba coli ; Endolimax nana ; Iodamoeba butschlii ; Giardia lamblia ; epidemiology ; intestine

To evaluate the status of intestinal protozoan infections in inhabitants of Gangweon-Do, Korea, a total of 1,310 stool specimens (male 669, female 641) was collected from 2 cities and 3 counties. They were examined routinely 1 time by the method of formalin-ether sedimentation technique. The results were as follows: The positive rate for any kind of the intestinal protozoan cysts was 8.9 percent. A total of 6 kinds of the intestinal protozoan cysts were detected. The prevalence rate of each protozoa were; E. histolytica 0.8 percent, E. coli 7.6 percent, E. nana 1.4 percent, I. butschlii 0.2 percent, G. lamblia 0.5 percent and C. mesnili 0.5 percent. Sogcho-city showed the highest positive rate as 15.2 percent, Myeongju county was the next as 11.3 percent and Weonju-city showed the lowest positive rate as low as 3.9 percent. By age, the highest positive rate was found in 20-29 age group(12.4 percent). Female (9.5 percent) showed a slight higher positive rate than male (8.4 percent).
parasitology-protozoa ; Entamoeba histolytica ; Entamoeba coli ; Endolimax nana ; Iodamoeba butschlii ; Giardia lamblia ; Chilomastix mesnili ; epidemiology ; intestine

This study aimed to survey the status of quality control (QC) assurance for stool examinations at clinical laboratories in Korea. We sent a questionnaire related to QC practices in stool examination by electronic mail to Korean clinical laboratories that performed stool examination. Overall, 20 of the 39 laboratories (51.3%) reported performing stool concentration methods, and 28 (71.8%) examined the slides using only saline. A large proportion (74.4%) of respondents did not check the internal QC because of the restriction of appropriate control materials. Only four laboratories (10.3%) checked the reactivity of the dye solution routinely. For appropriate external QC systems, QC slides (43.6%) were preferred, followed by QC materials (30.8%), virtual slides (17.9%), and a combination of the above options (7.7%). The most commonly observed parasites in stool samples at the clinical laboratories were Clonorchis sinensis (75%), followed by Endolimax nana, Enterobius vermicularis, and Entamoeba coli. The present study describes the difficulties in internal QC assessment due to the absence of standardized QC materials and systems. We hope the findings of this report will provide a foundation for a QC assessment program for stool examinations in the near future.
Clonorchis sinensis ; Electronic Mail ; Endolimax ; Entamoeba ; Enterobius ; Hope ; Korea ; Parasites ; Quality Control ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Although intestinal protozoans are common etiologies of diarrhea, few studies have been conducted in Myanmar. This study planned to investigate the prevalence of Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, and Endolimax nana among schoolchildren and their guardians in suburban areas near Yangon, Myanmar. We performed a cross-sectional survey among schoolchildren and their guardians from 7 primary schools in South Dagon and Hlaing Thar Yar districts, Yangon, Myanmar. Stool samples were observed with a microscope after concentration technique and iodine staining. Total 821 stool samples, including 556 from schoolchildren and 265 from guardians, were examined. The median age was 6 years old for schoolchildren and 36 years old for guardians. A 53.1% of the school children and 14.6 % of the guardians were males. The overall prevalence of each intestinal protozoan species was as follows: 3.4% (28/821) for G. lamblia; 3.5% (29/821) for E. coli; 1.2% (10/821) for E. histoytica, and 3.0% for E. nana. This study showed that intestinal protozoans are common in primary schoolchildren and their guardians in suburban areas near Yangon, Myanmar. Health interventions, such as hand washing education, improvement of sanitation, and establishment of water purification systems are urgently needed in this area.
Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diarrhea ; Education ; Endolimax ; Entamoeba ; Entamoeba histolytica ; Giardia ; Giardia lamblia ; Hand Disinfection ; Humans ; Iodine ; Male ; Myanmar* ; Prevalence* ; Sanitation ; Water Purification

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the present status of intestinal parasitic infection in Seoul area, Korea. During the period from June 1985 to July 1986, a total of 5,251 stool samples were collected in Department of Clinical Pathology, Hanyang University Hospital and examined by formalin-ether sedimentation technique once for helminth ova and protozoan cysts. The results were summerized as follows: The overall egg positive rate of intestinal helminthes was 2.53 per cent ; and 1.43 per cent for Clonorchis sinensis, 0.7 per cent for Trichuris trichiura, 0.13 per cent for Metagonimus yokogawai, 0.06 per cent for hookworm, and 0.02 per cent for Ascaris lumbricoides, Diphyllobothrium latum and Hymenolepis nana, respectively. The overall cyst positive rate of intestinal protozoa was 1.07 per cent. Cyst positive rate was 0.06 per cent for Entamoeba histolytica and 0.13 per cent for Giardia lamblia, respectively. Higher prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was observed in male and in 21-50 year-old groups. The highest prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis infection was observed in 40th age group(3.4 per cent), and male (2.3 per cent) was more infected than female (0.7 per cent) in general.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; trematoda ; cestoda ; protozoa ; epidemiology ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Trichuris trichiura ; Metagonimus yokogawai ; hookworm ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; Diphyllobothrium latum ; Hymenolepis nana ; Entamoeba histolytica ; Giardia lamblia ; Entamoeba coli ; Endolimax nana