For several years, we have conducted a series of studies on the patterns of ancient parasitism prevailing in the soil of rural and urban areas of past Kingdom of Korea. Actually, during our survey of paleoparasitology in archaeological sites of Korean peninsula, numerous ancient parasite eggs were discovered in the samples from the city districts of Hansung (Joseon) and Buyeo (Baikje), the palace moat at Gyeongju (Silla), shell-midden site at Bonghwang-dong (Silla to Joseon), and the reservoir found in Hwawangsansung fortress (Silla). By the paleoparasitological studies, with respect to parasitism in the high-density populations of ancient towns and cities, we have managed to catch glimpses of the patterns prevalent therein: a serious parasitic contamination of the soil in ancient urban areas, but not in rural areas of the past. Our historical research also proposed the plausible mechanism of parasite infection very serious indeed among urban populations in Korean history. Although city dwelling doubtless has accrued significant benefits for people and populations with agriculture, it can be equally supposed that living in such highly populated areas might have facilitated the spread of parasite infection.
Agriculture ; Eggs* ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Helminths* ; Korea* ; Ovum* ; Parasites ; Soil* ; Urban Population

We report herein a case of lymphomatoid papulosis in a 23-year-old female who had recurrent erythematous pinhead to pea sized papules and nodules on the both inner thighs and forearms for 4 years. Some lesions showed central hemorrhagic necrosis or scale formation. Individual lesions persisted for several months and showed spontaneous regression leaving pigmentation or depigmented atrophic scar. Histopathologically, there was marked cell infiltration, especially in the dermoepiderrnal junction and perivascular area. Infiltraled cells consisted of sorne ncutrophils and numerous atypical cells that had variable sized and irregular shaped nuclei. Electronmicroscopically, some atypical cells had cerebriform nuclei with marked peripheral condensation of chromatin and cytoplasm contained a few organelles, many polyribosomes and some dense bodies.
Chromatin ; Cicatrix ; Cytoplasm ; Female ; Forearm ; Humans ; Lymphomatoid Papulosis* ; Necrosis ; Organelles ; Peas ; Pigmentation ; Polyribosomes ; Thigh ; Young Adult