We analyzed parasitic diseases diagnosed by tissue biopsy specimens at KyungHee Medical Center (KMC) from 1984 to 2005. The total number of parasite infection cases was 150 (0.07%) out of the total 211,859 biopsy specimens submitted for histopathological examinations. They consisted of 62 cysticercosis, 23 sparganosis, 16 paragonimiasis, 15 amebiasis, 11 anisakiasis, 11 clonorchiasis, 3 ascariasis, 2 scabies, 2 enterobiasis, 2 trichuriasis, 1 leishmaniasis, 1 taeniasis, and 1 thelaziasis. Out of 62 cysticercosis cases, 55 were detected in subcutaneous tissues or the central nerve system. Eighteen out of 23 sparganosis cases were involved in muscular and subcutaneous tissues. In most anisakiasis cases, the involved organ was the stomach. The lung and the pleura were the most common site of paragonimiasis. The incidence of parasitic diseases during the first 5 years (1984-1988) was the highest of all observed periods. After 1989, similar incidences were shown throughout the period. Whereas cysticercosis was diagnosed in 34 cases during 1984-1988, no case has been diagnosed since 2000. In the case of sparganosis, the chronological incidence was almost uniform throughout the period 1984-2005. Paragonimiasis showed a similar tendency to cysticercosis. In gender and age distribution of parasitic diseases, men showed higher incidence rates than females, and the age groups of the 40s or older indicated higher infection frequencies than other age groups. Therefore, these results are a significant report to appear the tendency of human parasitic disease diagnosed by tissue biopsy in association with parasitosis at KMC in Seoul.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Biopsy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Parasitic Diseases/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult

We report here a human case probably mixed-infected with Clonorchis sinensis and Fasciola sp. who was diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) scan, serological findings, and/or fecal examination. The patient was a 43-year-old Korean female and was admitted to Kyung Hee University Hospital with the complaints of fever and abdominal pain. On admission, marked eosinophilia was noted in her peripheral blood. CT scan showed specific lesions for clonorchiasis and fascioliasis in the liver, along with lesions suggestive of amebic abscess. Micro-ELISA revealed positive results for the 2 helminthic infections. Eggs of C. sinensis and trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica were observed in the stool. Treatment with praziquantel followed by metronidazole and tinidazole reduced abnormalities in the liver and eosinophilia. This is the first case report of a possible co-infection with 2 kinds of liver flukes in the Republic of Korea.

The authors report a case of infection with Thelazia callipaeda in a Korean man. The patient was a 47 year-old man. He experienced epiphora and foreign body sensation of the right eye since 3 weeks ago. Total of 2 worms were removed from the conjunctival sac; one by himself 1 day prior to examination and the other by an ophthalmologist. The worm was slender creamy white in color which was fixed in a 10% formaline solution. The worm was 17.38 mm in length, 0.45 mm in body width, 0.026 mm in length of buccal cavity, 0.63 mm in length of anterior end to vaginal opening, 0.76 mm in length of anterior end to the esophagointestinal junction and 0.06 mm in length of posterior end to the anus. There were numerous striations on surface of worms and vaginal opening was located anterior to the esophagointestinal junction. Based on aforementioned findings, it was confirmed as a female worm of Thelazia callipaeda, and the authors report it with literature.
Anal Canal ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; Formaldehyde ; Humans* ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Middle Aged ; Sensation ; Thelazioidea

The authors report a case of infection with Thelazia callipaeda in a Korean man. The patient was a 47 year-old man. He experienced epiphora and foreign body sensation of the right eye since 3 weeks ago. Total of 2 worms were removed from the conjunctival sac; one by himself 1 day prior to examination and the other by an ophthalmologist. The worm was slender creamy white in color which was fixed in a 10% formaline solution. The worm was 17.38 mm in length, 0.45 mm in body width, 0.026 mm in length of buccal cavity, 0.63 mm in length of anterior end to vaginal opening, 0.76 mm in length of anterior end to the esophagointestinal junction and 0.06 mm in length of posterior end to the anus. There were numerous striations on surface of worms and vaginal opening was located anterior to the esophagointestinal junction. Based on aforementioned findings, it was confirmed as a female worm of Thelazia callipaeda, and the authors report it with literature.
Anal Canal ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; Formaldehyde ; Humans* ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Middle Aged ; Sensation ; Thelazioidea

BACKGROUND: Metronidazole has been known as the most effective drug for treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis-related diseases. However, it has been reported that metronidazole has adverse effects and incidence of metronidazole-resistant T. vaginalis (CDC085) has increased. Development of new drug, which is effective against metronidazole-resistant T. vaginalis and showing no adverse effects, has been required. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of various extracts from herbs such as Quisqualis indica, Gleditsia sinensis, Prunus armeniaca, Morus alba, Platycodon grandiflorum, Ailanthus altissima, Stemona japonica, Biota orientalis, Dryobalanops aromatica, and Cimicifuga heracleifolia on metronidazole resistant strain of T. vaginalis in vitro (CDC085). RESULTS: Anti-Trichomonas activities were observed in T. vaginalis treated with G. sinensis, P. armeniaca, and P. grandiflorum on the growth and fine structure of metronidazole resistant strain of T. vaginalis. Of the three standard extracts that showed the most effective anti-trichomonas activity, G. sinensis was the most effective. The inhibitory effects of fraction extracts of this drug were shown on the growth of T. vaginalis. The fine structure of the cytoplasm was changed after application of G. sinensis extract. The number of polyribosome and hydrogenosome decreased whereas the number of food vacuole and vacuole in the cytoplasm increased, compared with that of untreated control group. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that G. sinensis may induce the inhibition of cell multiplication as well as impairment of protein synthesis of metronidazole resistant strain of T. vaginalis in vitro.
Ailanthus ; Cell Proliferation ; Cimicifuga ; Cytoplasm ; Dipterocarpaceae ; Gleditsia ; Incidence ; Metronidazole* ; Morus ; Platycodon ; Polyribosomes ; Prunus armeniaca ; Stemonaceae ; Thuja ; Trichomonas vaginalis* ; Trichomonas* ; Vacuoles

BACKGROUND: Metronidazole has been known as the most effective drug for treatment of Trichomonas vaginalis-related diseases. However, it has been reported that metronidazole has adverse effects and incidence of metronidazole-resistant T. vaginalis (CDC085) has increased. Development of new drug, which is effective against metronidazole-resistant T. vaginalis and showing no adverse effects, has been required. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of various extracts from herbs such as Quisqualis indica, Gleditsia sinensis, Prunus armeniaca, Morus alba, Platycodon grandiflorum, Ailanthus altissima, Stemona japonica, Biota orientalis, Dryobalanops aromatica, and Cimicifuga heracleifolia on metronidazole resistant strain of T. vaginalis in vitro (CDC085). RESULTS: Anti-Trichomonas activities were observed in T. vaginalis treated with G. sinensis, P. armeniaca, and P. grandiflorum on the growth and fine structure of metronidazole resistant strain of T. vaginalis. Of the three standard extracts that showed the most effective anti-trichomonas activity, G. sinensis was the most effective. The inhibitory effects of fraction extracts of this drug were shown on the growth of T. vaginalis. The fine structure of the cytoplasm was changed after application of G. sinensis extract. The number of polyribosome and hydrogenosome decreased whereas the number of food vacuole and vacuole in the cytoplasm increased, compared with that of untreated control group. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that G. sinensis may induce the inhibition of cell multiplication as well as impairment of protein synthesis of metronidazole resistant strain of T. vaginalis in vitro.
Ailanthus ; Cell Proliferation ; Cimicifuga ; Cytoplasm ; Dipterocarpaceae ; Gleditsia ; Incidence ; Metronidazole* ; Morus ; Platycodon ; Polyribosomes ; Prunus armeniaca ; Stemonaceae ; Thuja ; Trichomonas vaginalis* ; Trichomonas* ; Vacuoles

BACKGROUND: T. vaginalis is a pathogenic protozoa infecting genitourinary tract. Metronidazole is a drug of choice to treat T. vaginalis infection. However, because of appearance of metronidazole- resistant T. vaginalis, it is needed to develop an alternative drug. So, we evaluated the effects of various concentration of kalopanaxsaponin A against T. vaginalis. METHODS: The antiprotozoal effect of kalopanaxsaponin A on the growth and fine structure of T. vaginalis was examined by using trypan blue exclusion assay and electron microscopy. RESULTS: The viability test showed markedly decreased number of T. vaginalis, treated with increasing concentration of kalopanaxsaponin A. We evaluated the electron microscopic findings for antiprotozoan effects against T. vaginalis. SEM showed that in T. vaginalis treated with 4 microgram/mL for 1 hour, axostyle was shrinked and flagella began to disappear. With gradual increase of the concentration of kalopanaxsaponin A, destruction of cell membrane was getting more severe, and degenerative change was observed in T. vaginalis treated with 8 microgram/mL for 2 hours. TEM showed that in T. vaginalis treated with 4 microgram/mL for 2 hours, the vacuoles in cytoplasm were larger and hydrogenosomes were smaller than those in control group. The number of vacuole was increased, the nucleus was destroyed, the number of polyribosome and free ribosome was also decreased in trichomonads treated with kalopanaxsaponin A (8 microgram/mL), which indicated the occurrence of degenerative changes. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that kalopanaxsaponin A had the antiprotozoal effect on T. vaginalis by inhibition of cell multiplication as well as an impairment of protein synthesis.
Cell Membrane ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytoplasm ; Flagella ; Metronidazole ; Microscopy, Electron ; Polyribosomes ; Ribosomes ; Trichomonas vaginalis* ; Trichomonas* ; Trypan Blue ; Vacuoles

BACKGROUND: T. vaginalis is a pathogenic protozoa infecting genitourinary tract. Metronidazole is a drug of choice to treat T. vaginalis infection. However, because of appearance of metronidazole- resistant T. vaginalis, it is needed to develop an alternative drug. So, we evaluated the effects of various concentration of kalopanaxsaponin A against T. vaginalis. METHODS: The antiprotozoal effect of kalopanaxsaponin A on the growth and fine structure of T. vaginalis was examined by using trypan blue exclusion assay and electron microscopy. RESULTS: The viability test showed markedly decreased number of T. vaginalis, treated with increasing concentration of kalopanaxsaponin A. We evaluated the electron microscopic findings for antiprotozoan effects against T. vaginalis. SEM showed that in T. vaginalis treated with 4 microgram/mL for 1 hour, axostyle was shrinked and flagella began to disappear. With gradual increase of the concentration of kalopanaxsaponin A, destruction of cell membrane was getting more severe, and degenerative change was observed in T. vaginalis treated with 8 microgram/mL for 2 hours. TEM showed that in T. vaginalis treated with 4 microgram/mL for 2 hours, the vacuoles in cytoplasm were larger and hydrogenosomes were smaller than those in control group. The number of vacuole was increased, the nucleus was destroyed, the number of polyribosome and free ribosome was also decreased in trichomonads treated with kalopanaxsaponin A (8 microgram/mL), which indicated the occurrence of degenerative changes. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that kalopanaxsaponin A had the antiprotozoal effect on T. vaginalis by inhibition of cell multiplication as well as an impairment of protein synthesis.
Cell Membrane ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytoplasm ; Flagella ; Metronidazole ; Microscopy, Electron ; Polyribosomes ; Ribosomes ; Trichomonas vaginalis* ; Trichomonas* ; Trypan Blue ; Vacuoles

BACKGROUND: Trichomonas vaginalis is a pathogenic protozoa infecting human genitourinary tract. Metronidazole is currently the drug of choice to treat T. vaginalis infection. However, because of the side effects and the occurrence of resistant strains of metronidazole, it is needed to investigate alternatives. METHODS: The antiprotozoal effect of aquatic extract from Sophora flavescens on the growth and fine structure of T. vaginalis was examined by using trypan blue exclusion assay and electron microscopy. RESULTS: One hour after the addition of 4 mg/mL extract and half hour after the addition of 5 mg/mL showed antiprotozoal effect. One to two hours after the addition of 3 mg/mL extract, the movement of flagella and axostyle had disappeared, but death of the cells had not occurred until two hours after the addition. The fine structure of the cytoplasm was also changed half an hour to two hours after addition. The number of polyribosome decreased when that of single ribosomes in the cytoplasm increased. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that S. flavescens had the antiprotozoal effect on T. vaginalis by inhibition of cell multiplication as well as an impairment of protein synthesis.
Cell Proliferation ; Cytoplasm ; Flagella ; Humans ; Metronidazole ; Microscopy, Electron ; Polyribosomes ; Ribosomes ; Sophora* ; Trichomonas vaginalis* ; Trichomonas* ; Trypan Blue

BACKGROUND: Endemic areas of Clonorchis sinensis are in Asia including Korea, China, Taiwan and Vietnam. Its metacercariae consumed in uncooked, or undercooked, unfrozen fish can present human a hazard. Purposes of this study are 1) to observe the effect of each food-processing method and each storage method on C. sinensis metacercariae and 2) to suggest basis to be referred as an indicator in prevention. METHODS: Live metacercariae of C. sinensis in fish collected from Nakdong River in Korea were isolated by pepsin digestion, then were injected into the center of regular-sized muscle protein (1 cm3) of flesh water fish. The sample proteins containing metacercaria were processed according to each food-processing method (heating, frying, boiling) and each storage method (chilling, freezing, pickling with vinegar, salt and soybean sauce). After these procedures, the number of dead metacercariae were counted. RESULTS: It took 10 seconds to kill all the metacercariae in muscle protein in deep frying (180 degrees C), 30 seconds in boiling (100 degrees C) and 60 seconds in dry heating. Metacercariae did not lose all the viability in 4-6 degrees C after 40 days, but lost in -10degrees C and pickling after 5 days, and in salting (salt and soybean sauce) after 3 days. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that the storing in low temperature and in such as vinegar, salt, and soybean sauce was not effective to lose the viability unless if it was kept for a long period of time. Among the food-processing methods, frying in soybean oil was the most effective method to lose the viability of metacercariae.
Acetic Acid ; Asia ; China ; Clonorchis sinensis* ; Digestion ; Freezing ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Korea ; Metacercariae ; Muscle Proteins ; Pepsin A ; Rivers ; Soybean Oil ; Soybeans ; Taiwan ; Vietnam