The genus Sarcocystis is not usually considered as an important enteric pathogen in immune compromised patients. It might be expected that species for which humans are the final host (Sarcocystis hominis and Sarcocystis suihominis as well as possibly others) would be encountered increasingly often in immunodeficient persons. This study aimed to address how to detect and differentiate Sarcocystis oocysts and/or sporocysts from enteric protozoans in the diarrheal samples of immunodeficient patients in Shiraz, Iran. Diarrheal samples of 741 immunodeficient patients with recurrent persistent or chronic diarrhea were examined by microscopy and molecular biological analysis. Oocysts-positive samples were 68 Cryptosporidium spp., 9 Cystoisospora belli (syn. Isospora belli), 2 Cyclospora cayetanensis, and 15 microsporidia (Enterocytozoon bieneusi). Sarcocystis-like sporocysts found from a woman were identified as Sarcocystis cruzi through 18S rDNA amplification and phylogenetic analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of S. cruzi from a human.
Cryptosporidium ; Cyclospora ; Diarrhea ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Female ; Humans ; Iran* ; Isospora ; Microscopy ; Microsporidia ; Oocysts* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence* ; Sarcocystis*

Feline parasites were investigated in the area of Suwon in Korea from September to October, 2003. Wild cat had spread to zoonotic parasites, these parasites could cause infection with a person. People have a lot of interest in parasite infection of wild cat. This article reviews rate of infection of a parasites and kind of a parasite of wild cats. We will report the critical characteristic features of parasites to a better understanding of the disease. The incidence rates of Toxocara cati, Trichuris felis, Ancylostoma braziliense and Capillaria sp were 37.0, 4.3, 1.1 and 1.1% in nematodes. Those of Taenia taeniaformis and Opisthorchis sp were 2.2 and 1.1% in cestode and trematode. Those of Isospora felis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Sarcocystis sp were 8.7, 9.8, and 2.2% in protozoa. Almost of these were zoonotic parasites without Isospora felis.
Ancylostoma ; Animals ; Capillaria ; Cats ; Cestoda ; Felis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Isospora ; Korea ; Opisthorchis ; Parasites ; Prevalence ; Sarcocystis ; Taenia ; Toxocara ; Toxoplasma ; Trichuris

Researches in veterinary protozoology until the end of World War II were carried out entirely by Japanese workers such as Danagga, Yamada, Yuhoba and Isshiki. After the Korean war, investigations have been made by several Korean researchers such as Lee's, Son, Joen and Jang. The total species and genera of veterinary protozoa reported by authors up to date were 19 genera and 59 species except the commensal ciliates. Incidence of the protozoa were carried out for 4 years(1972-l975) by examining fecal samples and vaginal swabs in order to know the parasitic status of the domestic animals and poultry. The results are shown as followings. In dairy cattle: Entamoeba bovis 41.4 per cent , Eimeria spp. 5.6-15.0 per cent. In native cattle: Entamoeba bovis 47.6 per cent, Tritrichomonas foetus 8.5 per cent. In native horse: Eimeria sp. 10.0 per cent. In goat: Eimeria spp. 100 per cent. In swine: Entamoeba spp. 55.44 per cent, Eimeria spp. 20 per cent, Balantidium coli 66.58 per cent. In dog: Isospora bigemina(Large type) 8.7 per cent, Giardia canis 4.4 per cent. In cat: Isospora spp. 12.8 per cent. In hare: Entamoeba cuniculi 12.0 per cent, Eimeria spp. 20.0 per cent, Chilomastix cuniculi 12.0 per cent , Giardia cuniculi 4.0 per cent. In turkey: Eimeria spp. 33.3 per cent, Hexamita meleagriais 8.3 per cent. In chicken: Eimeria spp. 26.8 per cent. The main protozoan diseases of the domestic animals and poultry in Korea may be summarized from the data reported and surveyed as followings. Coccidiosis; poultry, hare, goat, cattle, swine. Theileriasis; cattle. Babesiasis; cattle, dog. Anaplasmosis; cattle, goat. Eperythrozoonosis; cattle, swine. Leucocytozoonosis; chicken. Histomoniasis; chicken. Toxoplasmosis; swine, cat. Balantidiasis; swine. Besnoitiosis; native cattle. Amoebiasis; swine, cattle. Sarcosporidiosis; Cattle, swine.
parasitology-protozoa ; epidemiology ; cattle ; horse ; swine ; dog ; hare ; turkey ; cat ; Entamoeba bovis ; Eimeria spp. ; tritrichomonas foetus ; Entamoeba spp. ; Balantidium coli ; Isospora bigemina ; Giardia canis ; Isospora spp. ; Entamoeba cuniculi ; Chilomastix cuniculi ; Giardia cuniculi ; Hexamita meleagriais ; Coccidiosis ; Theileriasis ; Babesiasis ; Anaplasmosis ; Eperythrozoonosis ; Leucocytozoonosis ; Histomoniasis ; Toxoplasmosis ; Balantidiasis ; Besnoitiosis ; Amoebiasis ; Sarcosporidiosis

Chronic diarrhea with a 35 kg weight loss (75 kg to 40 kg) occurred during 2 years in an alcoholic patient was diagnosed with Isospora belli infection in the Republic of Korea. The patient, a 70-year old Korean male, had been a heavy drinker for more than 30 years. He was admitted to the Seoul National University Hospital because of long-standing diarrhea and severe weight loss. He had an increased white blood cell (WBC) count with high peripheral blood eosinophilia (36.8-39.9%) and lowered protein and albumin levels but without any evidence of immunosuppression. A parasitic infection was suspected and fecal examination was repeated 3 times with negative results. Peroral endoscopy with mural biopsy was performed in the upper jejunum. The biopsy specimens revealed villous atrophy with loss of villi together with various life cycle stages of I. belli, including trophozoites, schizonts, merozoites, macrogamonts, and microgamonts. The patient was treated successfully with oral doses of trimethoprim 160-320 mg and sulfamethoxazole 800-1,600 mg daily for 4 weeks. A follow-up evaluation at 2.5 years later revealed marked improvement of body weight (68 kg), increased protein and albumin levels, and normal WBC count with low eosinophils (3.1%). This is the first clinical case of isoporiasis with demonstration of various parasitic stages in the Republic of Korea.
Aged ; Alcoholism/*complications ; Antiparasitic Agents/administration & dosage ; Diarrhea/drug therapy/*etiology/parasitology/*pathology ; Humans ; Isospora/*isolation & purification ; Isosporiasis/*diagnosis/drug therapy/parasitology/*pathology ; Male ; Republic of Korea ; Sulfamethoxazole/administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome ; Trimethoprim/administration & dosage

A survey of intestinal parasites infection among Korean people has been carried out during July 1969 to December 1970. A total of 2,250 stool specimens (male 1,101, female 1,146) was collected from all the provinces and Seoul city in Korea. The specimens were examined routinely by direct fecal smear, zinc sulfate flotation and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques. The results are summarized as follows: Of 2,250 specimens examined, l,803(80.l per cent) were positive for intestinal parasites. The positive rates of intestinal helminths were 1,644(73.1 per cent) among 2,250; Ascaris lumbricoides 46.0 per cent, Trichocephalus trichiurus 46.8 percent, hookworm 6.8 per cent, Trichostrongylus orientalis 7.0 percent, Clonorchis sinensis 12.1 percent, Enterobius vermicularis 1.6 per cent, Hymenolepis nana 0.7 percent, Taenia species 0.3 per cent, Metagonimus yokogawai 0.04 percent, Fasciolidae 0.04 per cent and one case of lung fluke Paragonimu westermani. The positive rstes of intestinal protozoa were 786(34.9 per cent); Entamoeba histolytica 6.4 per cent, Entamoeba coli 20.5 percent, Endolimax nana 10.0 per cent, Giardia lamblia 5.1 per cent, Trichomonas hominis 1.1 percent, Chilomastix mesnili 0.5 percent, Iodamoeba butschlii 0.6 percent, Enteromonas hominis 0.7 percent, Dientamoeba fragilis 0.1 per cent and one case of Isospora hominis. Sexual distribution of helminths and protozoan infections showed higher rate in female than that of male, except C. sinensis, H. nana, Taenia species or G. lamblia Infections of T. trichiurus, hookworm, T. orientalis, C. sinensis, Taenia species, E. histolytica, E. coli and E. nana increased with age. Conversely, H. nana and G. lamblia infections were more predominent in younger ages.
parasitology-helminth-protozoa-trematoda-nematoda-cestoda ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; Trichocephalus trichiurus-Trichuris trichiura ; hookworm ; Trichostrongylus orientalis ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Enterobius vermicularis ; Hymenolepis nana ; Taenia species ; lamblia ; Trichomonas hominis ; Chilomastix mesnili ; Iodamoeba butschlii ; Enteromonas hominis ; Dientamoeba fragilis ; Isospora hominis ; epidemiology ; stool examination

Some small mammals occur as household pests and harbour a number of parasites that could be of public health importance. This study profiled the helminth and protozoan parasites in trapped small mammals within and around human dwelling places (houses) located across 4 major towns (Auchi, Benin, Ekpoma, and Uromi) and environs in Edo state, Nigeria. Six genera (Apodemus sp., Crocidura sp., Mastomys natalensis, Mus musculus, Rattus sp., and Sorex sp.) were identified from 502 trapped small mammals. Overall, M. musculus (71.9%) and Rattus rattus (20.1%) were the most frequently trapped. In total, on examination of blood, gastrointestinal contents, and brain tissues, 12 helminth taxa (Angiostrongylus sp., Aspicularis sp., Capillaria sp., Gongylonema sp., Heterakis spumosa, Hymenolepis diminuta, Hymenolepis nana, Mastophorus muris, Moniliformis moniliformis, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Strongyloides sp., Trichosomoides sp., and Trichuris sp.), and 6 protozoan parasites (Babesia sp., Trypanosoma lewisi, Plasmodium sp., Eimeria sp., Isospora sp., and Toxoplasma gondii) were isolated. Most prevalent helminths with relatively heavy mean intensity were Strongyloides sp. and Heterakis spumosa, while Plasmodium, Eimeria, and Isospora were the most prevalent protozoan parasites. Generally, intrinsic factors like sex and age had marginal influence on the rate and burden of infection in M. musculus and R. rattus. Although the infection rate and prevalence of zoonotic parasites were low, they were largely recovered in rodents from Ekpoma. This study elucidates the public health implication of the presence of zoonotic parasites in these small mammals.
Animals ; Benin ; Brain ; Capillaria ; Eimeria ; Family Characteristics ; Gastrointestinal Contents ; Helminths ; Humans ; Hymenolepis diminuta ; Hymenolepis nana ; Intrinsic Factor ; Isospora ; Mammals ; Mice ; Moniliformis ; Murinae ; Nigeria ; Nippostrongylus ; Parasites ; Plasmodium ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Rats ; Rodentia ; Spiruroidea ; Strongyloides ; Toxoplasma ; Trichuris ; Trypanosoma lewisi

BACKGROUND: The status of intestinal parasite infections among the residents of nationwide geographical areas in the Republic of Korea has been little investigated since 1997. The present study was designed to estimate the infection status of intestinal parasites among residents of several geographical areas in the Republic of Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fecal samples of 4,137 people (men:2,170, women:1,967) who visited the Korea Association of Health Promotion for a health check-up were collected from July to September, 2004. Specimens were examined for helminth eggs, larvae, and protozoan cysts using the Kato-Katz thick smear, formalin-ether sedimentation, and modified acid-fast staining techniques. RESULTS: Helminth eggs, larvae, and protozoan cysts were found in 322 (7.8%) of the 4,137 specimens examined. The helminth species detected were Clonorchis sinensis (in 259 specimens; 6.3%), Metagonimus sp. (14; 0.34%), Pygidiopsis summa (5; 0.12%), unidentified heterophyids (24; 0.58%), Echinostoma sp. (4; 0.1%), Gymnophalloides seoi (4; 0.1%), Paragonimus westermani (1; 0.02%), Trichuris trichiura (10; 0.24%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1; 0.02%), hookworms (1; 0.02%), and Strongyloides stercoralis (larva positive) (1; 0.02%). The protozoans detected were Entamoeba coli (9; 0.22%), Giardia lamblia (1; 0.02%), and Isospora sp. (1; 0.02%). The parasite positive rate was the highest in Gyeongsangnam-do (38 specimens; 15.3%), followed in decreasing order by Gwangju/ Jeollanam-do (56; 13.9%), Busan (58; 12.3%), Gyeongsangbuk-do (18; 11.2%), Daejeon/Chungcheongnam-do (42; 8.1%), Chungcheongbuk-do (18; 8.0%), Incheon (10; 7.0%), Daegu (22; 6.8 %), Gyeonggi-do (25; 5.0%), Jeollabuk-do (7; 4.4%), Gangwon-do (6; 3.5%), Seoul (20; 2.6%), and Jeju-do (2; 2.0%). The male positive rate (225/2,170; 10.4%) was significantly higher than that of females (95/1,967; 4.8%) (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Fish-borne trematodes including C. sinensis and heterophyids appear to be the major intestinal parasites among residents of the Republic of Korea. Control efforts are required against these fish-borne parasitic zoonoses.
Ancylostomatoidea ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; Busan ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Daegu ; Echinostoma ; Eggs ; Entamoeba ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Giardia lamblia ; Gyeonggi-do ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Health Promotion ; Helminths ; Heterophyidae ; Humans ; Incheon ; Isospora ; Jeju-do ; Jeollabuk-do ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea ; Larva ; Male ; Ovum ; Paragonimus westermani ; Parasites* ; Republic of Korea ; Seoul ; Strongyloides stercoralis ; Trichuris ; Zoonoses

BACKGROUND: The status of intestinal parasite infections among the residents of nationwide geographical areas in the Republic of Korea has been little investigated since 1997. The present study was designed to estimate the infection status of intestinal parasites among residents of several geographical areas in the Republic of Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fecal samples of 4,137 people (men:2,170, women:1,967) who visited the Korea Association of Health Promotion for a health check-up were collected from July to September, 2004. Specimens were examined for helminth eggs, larvae, and protozoan cysts using the Kato-Katz thick smear, formalin-ether sedimentation, and modified acid-fast staining techniques. RESULTS: Helminth eggs, larvae, and protozoan cysts were found in 322 (7.8%) of the 4,137 specimens examined. The helminth species detected were Clonorchis sinensis (in 259 specimens; 6.3%), Metagonimus sp. (14; 0.34%), Pygidiopsis summa (5; 0.12%), unidentified heterophyids (24; 0.58%), Echinostoma sp. (4; 0.1%), Gymnophalloides seoi (4; 0.1%), Paragonimus westermani (1; 0.02%), Trichuris trichiura (10; 0.24%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1; 0.02%), hookworms (1; 0.02%), and Strongyloides stercoralis (larva positive) (1; 0.02%). The protozoans detected were Entamoeba coli (9; 0.22%), Giardia lamblia (1; 0.02%), and Isospora sp. (1; 0.02%). The parasite positive rate was the highest in Gyeongsangnam-do (38 specimens; 15.3%), followed in decreasing order by Gwangju/ Jeollanam-do (56; 13.9%), Busan (58; 12.3%), Gyeongsangbuk-do (18; 11.2%), Daejeon/Chungcheongnam-do (42; 8.1%), Chungcheongbuk-do (18; 8.0%), Incheon (10; 7.0%), Daegu (22; 6.8 %), Gyeonggi-do (25; 5.0%), Jeollabuk-do (7; 4.4%), Gangwon-do (6; 3.5%), Seoul (20; 2.6%), and Jeju-do (2; 2.0%). The male positive rate (225/2,170; 10.4%) was significantly higher than that of females (95/1,967; 4.8%) (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Fish-borne trematodes including C. sinensis and heterophyids appear to be the major intestinal parasites among residents of the Republic of Korea. Control efforts are required against these fish-borne parasitic zoonoses.
Ancylostomatoidea ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; Busan ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Daegu ; Echinostoma ; Eggs ; Entamoeba ; Female ; Gangwon-do ; Giardia lamblia ; Gyeonggi-do ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Health Promotion ; Helminths ; Heterophyidae ; Humans ; Incheon ; Isospora ; Jeju-do ; Jeollabuk-do ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea ; Larva ; Male ; Ovum ; Paragonimus westermani ; Parasites* ; Republic of Korea ; Seoul ; Strongyloides stercoralis ; Trichuris ; Zoonoses