No abstract available.
Paragonimiasis ; Paragonimus westermani ; Stroke

The present study was undertaken to demonstrate the surface structure of Paragonimus westermani metacercaria in Korea with special reference to the distribution of sensory papillae. Metacercariae were isolated from crayfish, one of the second intermediate host of P. westermani in Bogil island, Chollanam-do (Province), Korea, where has been known as an endemic area of human paragonimiasis. Isolated metacercariae were excysted and examined with light, scanning and transmission electron microscopes for morphological features. On the surface of metacercariae, three types of sensory papillae were identified. Large domed papillae (3-5 micrometer), which were covered with wrinkled plasma membrane of the worm, were distributed on the oral and ventral suckers only. On the oral sucker, these large domed papillae were 12-13 in number. On the other hand large domed papillae on the ventral sucker were constantly 6 in number and hexagonal in distribution. Small domed papillae (2-3 micrometer), of which surface was more smooth than those of large ones, were distributed symmetrically on the ventral (30-32 pairs) and dorsal surfaces (40-42 pairs). Ciliated papillae (0.8-1.5 micrometer) were observed about 5-6 in number around the oral sucker and 3-5 pairs each on the ventral and dorsal surface of the body. Single pointed spines covered the entire surface of the body except around the excretory pore. Spines on the anterior part of the body were 0.9-2.0 micrometer in length and 45-55/100 square micrometer in number, and were gradually reduced in length (0.4-1.4 micrometer) and in number (12-27/100 square micrometer) toward the posterior part. The body wall of P. westermani metacercariae was consisted with anucleated syncytium layer, fibrous interstitial layer and musclar layer. In the anucleated syncytium, biconcave (0.15-0.55 micrometer) and spherical (0.08-0.16 micrometer) secretory granules, which were transferred from epidermal cells via protoplasmic tubules, mitochondria and ribosomes, were observed. Spines originated around the basement membrane protruded externally. Epidermal cells were consisted with a nucleus and a cytoplasm, and connected to syncytium with protoplasmic tubules. In the cytoplasm many secretory granules, mitochondria, Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticula, ribosomes and lipid droplets were observed.
parasitolgy-helminth-trematoda ; Paragonimus westermani ; electron microscopy

The present study was performed to observe the ultrastructure of the integument of adult Paragonimus westermani. Dogs experimentally infected with 60 metacercariae of P. westermani were autopsied 4 months after the infection. Adult P. westermani were extracted from the dogs and the fine structure was studied by means of scanning and transmission electron microscope. The findings are as follows: Scanning electron microscopic findings showed that the spines and the papillae are distributed at whole body surface but the well developed spines or papaillae are shown around the oral suckrer and ventral sucker. At the end of the body, excretory pore was found, the shape was irregular. Transmission electron microscopic findings showed that plasma membrane, tegument, basal lamina, connective tissue, circular muscle layer, longitudinal muscle layer, nerve axon and tegumental cell were observed. In higher magnification, plasma membrane and bar-shaped granules were found at the outer surface of the tegument.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Paragonimus westermani ; electron microscopy

This survey was undertaken to determine the recent prevalence of lung fluke, Paragonimus westermani, in the three localities of Wiseong county, Kyungpook Province, Korea and to compare the prevalence among the residents in the same areas between 1924 and 1980. The three localities, Ku-seong, Sam-chun, and Um-ji villages (dong) have been known as the endemic areas of Paragonimus westermani. The surveys were made on the general population. They were examined using intradermal test with Paragonimus westermani antigen, and the diagnosis of paragonimiasis was made depending on the positive intradermal reaction. The sputum examination could not be performed beacause the residents were inaccessible. The prevalence of Paragonimus westermani among the residents in the three communities varied from 1.4 percent to 7.9 per cent, with an average of 4.0 per cent. Whereas, the average reported by Ichinomiya in 1924 was 4.7 percent. There are no significant differences in the sex and age specific rates of infection between 1924 and 1980. With the abundant density of Semisulcospira snails and crayfish in Sam-chun stream and the high rate of infection with Paragonimus westermani among the residents in the village, it is found that Sam-chun village, one of the three localitied in Wiseong county, where Ichinomiya (1924) surveyed, was still the endemic focus of Paragonimus westermani.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Paragonimus westermani ; paragonimiasis ; epidemiology

Metacercariae were found from 6 samples among 4,382 Parlemon nipponensis which were caught at Podu, Kohung, Korea. The metacercaria was inclined as a larval stage of Paragonimus westermani by following reason: Semisulcospira libertina was the only one species which lives in Podu area. No other metacercaria except Paragonimus westermani were found from the craw or cray fish which were caught in the endemic aera. Metacercariae, ovary, testes and cuticular spines resmbled the characteristics of Paragonimus westermani, which have been described by previous workers.
parasitology ; helminth ; trematoda ; Paragonimus westermani ; metacercaria ; epidemiology

In order to observe the antigenic fractions in saline extract of adult Paragonimus westermani, proteins in the crude extract were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in reducing conditions. The separated protein fractions were transferred to nitrocellulose paper on which 20 sera from human paragonimiasis were reacted and immunoblotted. Out of 15 stained protein bands in SDS-PAGE, 7 reacted with the sera. Of 14 reacted bands, 30 kilodalton(kDa) band was the most frequently reacted (95%) and was a strong antigen. Protein bands of 23 and 46 kDa were also strong antigens. Bands of over 150 kDa, 120 kDa, 92 kDa, 86 kDa, 74 kDa, 62 kDa, 51 kDa, 32 kDa, 28 kDa, 16.5 kDa and 15.5 kDa were also reactive but their frequencies of the reaction were variable.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Paragonimus westermani ; immunology ; antigen ; electrophoresis

parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Paragonimus westermani ; paragonimiasis ; ELISA ; immunology

As epidemiological parameters of human paragonimiasis, the positive rates of intradermal test and the sputum/stool examination have long been employed in population surveys. However, both the specificity of the intradermal test and the sensitivity of sputum/stool examination have been gradually declined as the endemicity was lowered; thus the gap between above two parameters widened. In such context, the development of a new epidemiological parameter or tool which makes it possible to accurately discriminate the active paragonimiasis cases was necessary. In the present study, the detection rate of Paragonimus-specific IgG antibody by micro-ELISA was evaluated as an indicator of epidemiologic status of human paragonimiasis in a population. A total of 4,285 students and inhabitants living in Bukpyeong Myeon and Bukil Myeon, Haenam Gun, Jeonlanam Do was surveyed in October 1983 by intradermal test first. Out of them, 244 case (5.7 percent) were found positively reacted to VBS antigen of P. wetermani. Out of 168 positive reactors, 7 cases (4.2 percent) were egg positive either by two times of sputum examination or by one stool examination. That indicated that only 0.16 percent of total surveyed were confirmed as active paragonimiasis by egg detection. When sera collected from 239 positive reactors of intradermal test were tested by micro-ELISA for their specific IgG antibody, 40 cases (16.7 percent) were found to be positive. All of 7 eggs positive cases were again positive for specific IgG antibody. Among remaining 232 intradermal test positive cases, 33 cases were positive for IgG antibody. In contrast to those, none of 42 positive reactors to intradermal test for Clonorchis and of 128 intradermal test negative cases showed positive for Paragonimus- specific IgG antibody. The rate of specific IgG antibody as detected by micro-ELISA appeared to be increased with the wheal size of the intradermal test. When the wheal size was over 13 mm in diameter, about 50 percent of them were positive for specific IgG antibody. Thirty-one specific antibody positive cases were clinically evaluated by laboratory examinations (repeated sputum examination, peripheral eosinophil count and chest roentgenogram) and by history taking. Out of them 24 cases were associated with one or more positive laboratory findings; thus considered as active paragonimiasis cases. Out of 7 lab. finding-free cases 3 revealed past history of typical paragonimiasis symptoms, suggesting that they were in chronic or in convalescent stages. The remaining 4 cases were considered as either mild or ectopic infection cases; the possibility of cross-reaction with other helminthiases could not be ruled out. From the above results, it was inferred that the detection of Paragonimus-specific IgG antibogy by micro-ELISA was very much helpful in detecting the active cases as well as in proper evaluation of the endemicity of human paragonimiasis in a population. The convenience of mass handling of sera in micro-ELISA was considered another superiority as an epidemiologic tool.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Paragonimus westermani ; paragonimiasis ; ELISA ; immunology ; diagnosis ; IgG

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of health education and anti-Clonorchis campaign conducted in Kyungpook Province and to compare the prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis among the residents in the same areas for the period 1964-1976. Both surveys were made on all age groups of residents ranging from 0 to over 60 years of age. They were examined using primarily intradermal tests with Clonorchis and Paragonimus antigens and followed by stool examinations. The definitive diagnosis of clonorchiasis was made on the recovery of Clonorchis eggs from the stools. A marked reduction in the prevalence was encountered in the youngest age group, but there is no significant difference in the older age groups. The overall prevalence rate for clonorchiasis was reduced from 27.7 to 19.6 per cent in a period of 10 years. It is found that clonorchiasis is less prevalent in Kyungpook Province than it was a decade ago and it continued to decline.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Clonorchis sinensis-clonorchiasis ; Paragonimus westermani ; epidemiology

The effect of praziquantel on P. westermani exposed in vitro was observed by stereomicroscope, light microscope and scanning electron microscope. Following results were found. The worms incubated in 0.01 micro-g/ml praziquantel were moving after 26-hour incubation. However, all of them were immobilized immediately after incubation in solutions over 0.1 micro-g/ml concentration. All of the exposed worms showed severe vacuolization not only in tegument but in subtegument, intestine, ovary, testis, Mehlis' gland and excretory bladder. Vacuoles in tegument burst out to form craters. As incubation time went on, tegumental structure was disintegrated severely. The worms exposed to praziquantel were observed to be immobilized and be vacuolized of all tissues. Disintegration of reproductive organs suggests that praziquantel have suppressive effect on egg production when the flukes are not killed. The drug effects were found more related with incubation time than with drug concentration.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Paragonimus westermani ; electronmicroscopy ; chemotherapy ; praziquantel