A new endemic focus of Gymnophalloides seoi infection has been discovered on Aphae Island (Shinangun, Jeollanam-do), Republic of Korea. This area, which is referred to as Bokyong-ri, is a small seashore village located in the northern portion of the island. Fecal samples were collected from a total of 57 residents and examined by the Kato-Katz and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques. Helminth eggs were detected in 37 samples (64.9%); 33 samples were positive for G. seoi eggs (57.9%), 4 for Pygidiopsis summa (7.0%), 13 for other heterophyids (22.8%), 1 for Clonorchis sinensis (1.7%), and 1 for Trichuris trichiura (1.7%). Women (70.4%) revealed higher rates of G. seoi infection than did men (46.7%), and individuals older than 50 years of age also evidenced higher rates of G. seoi infection than in other age groups (P<0.05). In worm collection from 13 G. seoi egg positive cases, G. seoi (total 86,558 specimens), Heterophyes nocens (278), Stictodora sp. (10), Heterophyopsis continua (3), P. summa (3), and unidentified flukes (42) were collected. Oysters, the source of G. seoi infection, were collected from an area proximal to the village and 50 were examined for metacercariae; 47 (94%) were found infected and the observed metacercarial density was 9.5+/-8.9 per oyster. The results of this study indicate that Bokyong-ri is a new endemic area of G. seoi infection, with high rates of infection in humans and oysters.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; *Endemic Diseases ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/*epidemiology/parasitology/transmission ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ostreidae/parasitology ; Trematoda/*isolation & purification ; Trematode Infections/*epidemiology/parasitology/transmission ; Water/parasitology

To know the prevalence of heterophyid trematodes among inhabitants of a southern coastal village, i.e., Sacho-ri, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do (Province), 82 stool samples were examined on helminth eggs and protozoan cysts using Kato-Katz and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques. Total 33 people (40.2%) were positive for trematodes (Heterophyes nocens; 15 people, Pygidiopsis summa; 3, Metagonimus sp.; 4, Clonorchis sinensis; 7, Gymnophalloides seoi; 6) and/or protozoa (Entamoeba coli; 3). Among intestinal trematode egg positive cases, 17 were treated with praziquantel and their whole diarrheic stools were collected after purgation. Adult flukes of H. nocens (number of specimens=1,294), P. summa (386), Stellantchasmus falcatus (5), Stictodora lari (4), and Heterophyopsis continua (1) were collected using a stereomicroscope. To know the source of human H. nocens infections in this village, metacercarial infections in mullets (10) were examined and most H. nocens metacercariae (101/105, 96.2%) were found in the trunk portion. From above results, the surveyed coastal village has been newly known as an endemic focus of human H. nocens infection and consuming raw mullets was the presumable source of human heterophyid infections.
Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; *Endemic Diseases ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Heterophyidae/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/*epidemiology/parasitology/transmission ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smegmamorpha/parasitology ; Trematode Infections/*epidemiology/parasitology/transmission ; Water/parasitology

Stray cats are a common feature roaming the streets and alleys of Kuwait; they could be a source of parasites, including trematodes, that affect humans. A survey was conducted to identify feline trematodes and throw the light on their public health significance in Kuwait. Out of 240 stray cats trapped from different localities of Kuwait from June 2011 to May 2012, 59 (24.6%) were found to be infected with 14 species of trematodes. The most common were trematodes of the genus Heterophyes, particularly H. heterophyes and H. dispar that were found in respectively 15.8% and 10.8% of the cats examined. Other trematodes recorded, with lower prevalences, were Heterophyes nocens (2.9%), Haplorchis taichui (3.8%), Stictodora sawakinensis (2.1%), Stellantchasmus falcatus (1.6%), Echinochasmus japonicus (1.6%), and Mesostephanus dottrensi (1.3%). Centrocestus cuspidatus, Galactosomum fregatae, Ascocotyle sp., Mesostephanus appendiculatus, Haplorchis yokogawai, and Pygidiopsis genata showed the lowest prevalence (0.4%) and intensity. The majority of the trematodes are recorded for the first time in Kuwait and even in the Gulf region. The study reveals that stray cats are good indicators of fish-borne trematodes in the environment. As all trematodes recovered are zoonotic, their significance to public health should be considred.
Animals ; Cat Diseases/epidemiology/*parasitology/transmission ; Cats ; Female ; Fish Diseases/epidemiology/parasitology ; Fishes ; Kuwait/epidemiology ; Male ; Trematoda/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification/physiology ; Trematode Infections/epidemiology/parasitology/*veterinary ; Zoonoses/epidemiology/*parasitology