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Egg Laying Capacity of Haplorchis taichui (Digenea: Heterophyidae) in Humans.

Megumi SATO ; Surapol SANGUANKIAT ; Somchit PUBAMPEN ; Teera KUSOLSUK ; Wanna MAIPANICH ; Jitra WAIKAGUL

The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2009;47(3):315-318. doi:10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.315

Quantitative fecal egg counts represented as the number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG) are generally a reliable parameter to estimate the worm burden of intestinal and hepatic parasitoses. Although Haplorchis taichui (Digenea: Heterophyidae) is one of the most common minute human intestinal flukes, little is known about the relationship between EPG and the actual worm burden in patients or the severity of the disease. In the present study, fecal samples were collected from 25 villagers in northern Thailand before and after praziquantel treatment. The EPG values of each participant were determined by the modified cellophane thick smear method, and adult worms were collected from the whole stool after the treatment. Eggs per day per worm (EPDPW) of H. taichui were estimated 82 from egg counts and expelled worms. The EPG was not well correlated with the worm burden, and a reverse correlation was observed between the EPDPW and the worm burden.
Animals ; Feces/parasitology ; Heterophyidae/isolation & purification/*physiology ; Humans ; Parasite Egg Count ; Trematode Infections/*parasitology

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Echinostome Infections in the Striped-Field Mouse, Apodemus agrarius, and the Ussuri White-Toothed Shrew, Crocidura lasiura, Caught Near the Demilitarized Zone, Gyeonggi-do (Province), Republic of Korea.

Jong Yil CHAI ; Jae Hwan PARK ; Bong Kwang JUNG ; Sang Mee GUK ; Jae Lip KIM ; Eun Hee SHIN ; Terry A KLEIN ; Heung Chul KIM ; Sung Tae CHONG ; Luck Ju BAEK ; Jin Won SONG

The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2009;47(3):311-314. doi:10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.311

A total of 1,498 small mammals (rodents and insectivores), including Apodemus agrarius (n = 1,366), Crocidura lasiura (54), Mus musculus (32), Micronytus fortis (28), Eothenomys regulus (9), Micronys minutes (6), and Cricetulus triton (3), were live-trapped in Gyeonggi-do (Province) (Paju-si, Pocheon-gun, and Yeoncheon-gun) near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) from December 2004 to September 2005. A. agrarius was found to be infected with 3 species of echinostomes (Echinostoma hortense, Echinostoma cinetorchis, and Euparyphium murinum), while C. lasiura was infected with 1 species (Echinochasmus japonicas) of echinostome. Other mammals were free from echinostome infections. Total 16 E. hortense were detected in 7 (0.5%) mice, 9 E. cinetorchis from 5 (0.4%), and 3 E. murinum from 2 (0.1%) out of 1.366 A. agrarius examined. E. japonicus was found only in 1 (1.9%; total 3 specimens) C. lasiura. These results demonstrate that A. agrarius and C. lasiura, inhabiting near the DMZ of Gyeonggi-do serve as the natural definitive hosts for several species of echinostomes, although their infection rates are low. This is the first record of natural infections of A. agrarius with E. cinetorchis and C. lasiura with E. japonicus in the Republic of Korea.
Animals ; Echinostoma/*isolation & purification ; Echinostomiasis/parasitology/*veterinary ; Humans ; Insectivora/*parasitology ; Korea ; Mice ; *Murinae/parasitology ; Rodent Diseases/*parasitology ; Rodentia ; Shrews/parasitology

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Echinostoma hortense and Heterophyid Metacercariae Encysted in Yellowfin Goby, Acanthogobius flavimanus, from Shinan-gun and Muan-gun (Jeollanam-do), Korea.

Woon Mok SOHN ; Byoung Kuk NA ; Shin Hyeong CHO

The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2009;47(3):307-310. doi:10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.307

Fishborne trematode (FBT) metacercariae were investigated in yellowfin goby, Acanthogobius flavimanus, collected from Shinan-gun and Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do (province), Korea. All collected fishes were examined using the artificial digestion method. In all of 15 gobies from Aphae-myeon in Shinan-gun, metacercariae of Stictodora spp. (334 metacercariae/fish), Heterophyes nocens (153/fish), and Heterophyopsis continua (20/fish) were detected. In 2 of 14 gobies from Jido-myeon in Shinan-gun, 8 Echinostoma hortense metacercariae in total were detected. In 15 gobies from Haeje-myeon in Muan-gun, the metacercariae of H. continua were found in 100%, Stictodora spp. in 86.7%, and H. nocens in 6.7% of fish examined. The average numbers of metacercariae per infected fish were 23.3 (H. continua), 416.0 (Stictodora spp.), and 2.0 (H. nocens), respectively. The metacercariae of E. hortense found in gobies were elliptical, with 150 x 138 micrometer in average size, and had 27 collar spines on the head crown. The above results suggest that yellowfin gobies from 2 localities may be the potential infection sources of FBT. Moreover, it is proved for the first time that the yellowfin goby, A. flavimanus, acts as a second intermediate host for E. hortense.
Animals ; Disease Reservoirs/*parasitology ; Echinostomiasis/parasitology ; Humans ; Korea ; Perciformes/*parasitology ; Trematoda/*isolation & purification

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A Survey of Intestinal Protozoan Infections among Gastroenteritis Patients during a 3-Year Period (2004-2006) in Gyeonggi-do (Province), South Korea.

Jeong Weon HUH ; Su Gyeong MOON ; Young Hee LIM

The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2009;47(3):303-305. doi:10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.303

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.
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

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Imported Malaria in Korea: a 13-Year Experience in a Single Center.

Hae Suk CHEONG ; Ki Tae KWON ; Ji Young RHEE ; Seong Yeol RYU ; Dong Sik JUNG ; Sang Taek HEO ; Sang Yop SHIN ; Doo Ryun CHUNG ; Kyong Ran PECK ; Jae Hoon SONG

The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2009;47(3):299-302. doi:10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.299

The incidence of imported malaria has been increasing in Korea. We reviewed data retrospectively to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical features, and outcomes of imported malaria from 1995 to 2007 in a university hospital. All patients diagnosed with imported malaria were included. Imported malaria was defined as a positive smear for malaria that was acquired in a foreign country. A total of 49 patients (mean age, 35.7 year; M : F = 38 : 11) were enrolled. The predominant malarial species was Plasmodium falciparum (73.5%), and the most frequent area of acquisition was Africa (55.1%), followed by Southeast Asia (22.4%) and South Asia (18.4%). Fourteen-patients (30.6%) suffered from severe malaria caused by P. falciparum and 1 patient (2.0%) died of multiorgan failure. Most of the patients were treated with mefloquine (79.2%) or quinine (10.2%); other antimalarial agents had to be given in 13.2% treated with mefloquine and 44.4% with quinine due to adverse drug events (ADEs). P. falciparum was the most common cause of imported malaria, with the majority of cases acquired from Africa, and a significant number of patients had severe malaria. Alternative antimalarial agents with lower rates of ADEs might be considered for effective treatment instead of mefloquine and quinine.
Adult ; Animals ; Antimalarials/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Malaria, Falciparum/drug therapy/epidemiology/*parasitology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasmodium falciparum/drug effects/isolation & purification ; Retrospective Studies ; *Travel

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Comparative Sensitivity of PCR Primer Sets for Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum.

Jae Ran YU ; Soo Ung LEE ; Woo Yoon PARK

The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2009;47(3):293-297. doi:10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.293

Improved methods for detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in environmental and clinical samples are urgently needed to improve detection of cryptosporidiosis. We compared the sensitivity of 7 PCR primer sets for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum. Each target gene was amplified by PCR or nested PCR with serially diluted DNA extracted from purified C. parvum oocysts. The target genes included Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP), small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA), and random amplified polymorphic DNA. The detection limit of the PCR method ranged from 10(3) to 10(4) oocysts, and the nested PCR method was able to detect 10(0) to 10(2) oocysts. A second-round amplification of target genes showed that the nested primer set specific for the COWP gene proved to be the most sensitive one compared to the other primer sets tested in this study and would therefore be useful for the detection of C. parvum.
Animals ; Cryptosporidiosis/diagnosis/*parasitology ; Cryptosporidium parvum/genetics/*isolation & purification ; DNA Primers/*genetics ; DNA, Protozoan/diagnostic use/genetics ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

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Evaluation of alpha-Tubulin as an Antigenic and Molecular Probe to Detect Giardia lamblia.

Juri KIM ; Myeong Heon SHIN ; Kyoung Ju SONG ; Soon Jung PARK

The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2009;47(3):287-291. doi:10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.287

The alpha/beta-tubulin heterodimer is the basic subunit of microtubules in eukaryotes. Polyclonal antibodies specific to recombinant alpha-tubulin of Giardia lamblia were made, and found effective as a probe to specifically detect G. lamblia by immunofluorescence assays. Nucleotide sequences of alpha-tubulin genes were compared between G. lamblia WB and GS strains, prototypes of assemblage A and assemblage B, respectively. A set of primers was designed and used to amplify a portion of the alpha-tubulin gene from G. lamblia. PCR-RFLP analysis of this alpha-tubulin PCR product successfully differentiated G. lamblia into 2 distinct groups, assemblages A and B. The results indicate that alpha-tubulin can be used as a molecular probe to detect G. lamblia.
Animals ; Antigens, Protozoan/*genetics/immunology ; Base Sequence ; Giardia lamblia/genetics/immunology/*isolation & purification ; Giardiasis/*diagnosis/immunology/parasitology ; Humans ; Molecular Probes/genetics/immunology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/*methods ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Protozoan Proteins/*genetics/immunology ; Sequence Alignment ; Tubulin/*genetics/immunology

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Three Cases of Paragonimiasis in a Family.

Byeong Seok SOHN ; Yun Jeong BAE ; You Sook CHO ; Hee Bom MOON ; Tae Bum KIM

The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2009;47(3):281-285. doi:10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.281

Paragonimiasis typically results from the consumption of raw or improperly cooked crustacea, especially crabs and crayfish. Although previously endemic in Korea, the prevalence of this disease decreased in the early 1970s because of educational campaigns and fewer intermediate hosts as a result of ecological changes. Recently, we were presented with a family where all members were infected with Paragonimus after ingestion of Kejang (= drunken crab). The mother was hospitalized for general myalgia and weakness first, followed by the father, who was hospitalized for dyspnea 2 month later. After the parents were diagnosed with paragonimiasis, we recommended their daughter to visit our hospital for a checkup, because they all had eaten freshwater crabs soaked in soybean sauce. She complained of generalized myalgia, fever, and pleuritic pain, and was also diagnosed with paragonimiasis. Peripheral blood of the 3 patients revealed hypereosinophilia, and computed tomography (CT) scans of their chests showed pleural effusion. The results of antibody tests by ELISA were positive for paragonimiasis. We report here the case series of familial paragonimiasis in a modern urban city, rather than in a typical endemic area.
Adult ; Animals ; Family ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung Diseases, Parasitic/*diagnosis/radiography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paragonimiasis/*diagnosis/radiography ; Paragonimus/isolation & purification

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Trichuris trichiura Infection Diagnosed by Colonoscopy: Case Reports and Review of Literature.

Kyung Sun OK ; You Sun KIM ; Jung Hoon SONG ; Jin Ho LEE ; Soo Hyung RYU ; Jung Hwan LEE ; Jeong Seop MOON ; Dong Hee WHANG ; Hye Kyung LEE

The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2009;47(3):275-280. doi:10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.275

Trichuris trichiura, commonly referred to as a whipworm, has a worldwide distribution, particularly among countries with warm, humid climates. In Korea, trichuriasis was a highly prevalent soil-transmitted helminthiasis until the 1970s. However, the nationwide prevalence decreased to 0.02% in 2004 as a result of national control activities and improvement in the socioeconomic status of Koreans. Most infected individuals have no distinct symptoms, if lightly infected. The diagnosis is typically confirmed by detection of T. trichiura eggs on examination of a stool sample; few reports have described detection of the parasite during colonoscopy. Recently, we managed 4 patients with trichuriasis who were diagnosed by detection of the parasite on colonoscopy, and we reviewed the literature on the colonoscopic diagnosis of T. trichiura in Korea. We suggest that colonoscopy might be a useful diagnostic tool, especially when infected by only a few male worms with no eggs in the stool.
Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Colonoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Trichuriasis/*diagnosis/parasitology ; Trichuris/*cytology

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A Locally Acquired Falciparum Malaria via Nosocomial Transmission in Korea.

Jung Yeon KIM ; Jeong Su KIM ; Mi Hyun PARK ; Young A KANG ; Jun Wook KWON ; Shin Hyeong CHO ; Byeong Chul LEE ; Tong Soo KIM ; Jong Koo LEE

The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2009;47(3):269-273. doi:10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.269

A 57-year old man who was admitted to an emergency room of a tertiary hospital with hemoptysis developed malarial fever 19 days later and then died from severe falciparum malaria 2 days later. He had not traveled outside of Korea for over 30 years. Through intensive interviews and epidemiological surveys, we found that a foreign patient with a recent history of travel to Africa was transferred to the same hospital with severe falciparum malaria. We confirmed through molecular genotyping of the MSP-1 gene that Plasmodium falciparum genotypes of the 2 patients were identical. It is suggested that a breach of standard infection control precautions resulted in this P. falciparum transmission between 2 patients in a hospital environment. This is the first report of a nosocomial transmission of falciparum malaria in Korea.
Africa ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Cross Infection/parasitology/*transmission ; Fatal Outcome ; Humans ; Korea ; Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology/*transmission ; Male ; Merozoite Surface Protein 1/chemistry/genetics ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plasmodium falciparum/chemistry/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Protozoan Proteins/chemistry/genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Travel

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