Toxoplasmosis, a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, occurs throughout the world. Human T. gondii infection is asymptomatic in 80% of the population; however, the infection is life-threatening and causes substantial neurologic damage in immunocompromised patients such as HIV-infected persons. The major purpose of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in subjects infected with HIV/AIDS in eastern China. Our findings showed 9.7% prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody in HIV/AIDS patients, which was higher than in intravenous drug users (2.2%) and healthy controls (4.7%), while no significant difference was observed in the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibody among all participants (P>0.05). Among all HIV/AIDS patients, 15 men (7.7%) and 10 women (15.9%) were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibody; however, no significant difference was detected in the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody between males and females. The frequency of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody was 8.0%, 13.2%, 5.5%, and 0% in patients with normal immune function (CD4+ T-lymphocyte count ≥500 cells/ml), immunocompromised patients (cell count ≥200 and <500 cells/ml), severely immunocompromised patients (cell count ≥50 and <200 cells/ml), and advanced AIDS patients, respectively (cell count <50 cells/ml), while only 3 immunocompromised patients were positive for anti-T. gondii IgM antibody. The results indicate a high seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in HIV/AIDS patients in eastern China, and a preventive therapy for toxoplasmosis may be given to HIV/AIDS patients based on CD4+ T lymphocyte count.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/complications ; Antibodies, Protozoan/*blood ; China/epidemiology ; Female ; HIV Infections/*complications ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Male ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Toxoplasma ; Toxoplasmosis/*complications/*epidemiology

In Korea, patterns of parasitic infections have notably changed during the past few decades. The soil-transmitted helminthiases and water-borne protozoan infections, which had been prevalent, became negligible, while parasitic zoonosis including pet-associated infections, food-borne helminthiases, and imported tropical endemic diseases have increasingly been detected. People who travel abroad and those who have immigrated from other countries might suffer from endemic tropical diseases. Except for a few entities, which invoked acute febrile illness (malaria) and diarrhea (giardiasis and amoebiasis), most helminthic and protozoan infections did not provoke acute symptoms. Those infections progress slowly, but can sometimes result in fatal clinical consequences. Diverse tropical endemic diseases are prevalent in several continents/countries according to different natural environments (climate and humidity), socioeconomic status, and traditional cultural background. Those diseases might be acquired through different routes of infection. Travelers who have returned to Korea from overseas and immigrants should undergo a careful differential diagnosis. Information on countries and duration of travel/residence, food habits, underlying medical history, prophylactics received, exposure to harmful environments (insect bites, contaminated food or water), and swimming in freshwater is valuable. This article briefly overviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and specific chemotherapeutics of the tropical endemic diseases that are important in Korea.
Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diarrhea ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Endemic Diseases ; Epidemiology ; Food Habits ; Fresh Water ; Helminthiasis ; Helminths ; Humans ; Korea ; Parasitic Diseases* ; Protozoan Infections ; Social Class ; Swimming

Microsporidia are eukaryotic organisms that cause zoonosis and are major opportunistic pathogens in HIV-positive patients. However, there is increasing evidence that these organisms can also cause gastrointestinal and ocular infections in immunocompetent individuals. In Korea, there have been no reports on human infections with microsporidia to date. In the present study, we used real-time PCR and nucleotide sequencing to detect Encephalitozoon intestinalis infection in seven of 139 human diarrheal stool specimens (5%) and Encephalitozoon hellem in three of 34 farm soil samples (8.8%). Genotype analysis of the E. hellem isolates based on the internal transcribed spacer 1 and polar tube protein genes showed that all isolates were genotype 1B. To our knowledge, this is the first report on human E. intestinalis infection in Korea and the first report revealing farm soil samples as a source of E. hellem infection. Because microsporidia are an important public health issue, further large-scale epidemiological studies are warranted.
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/parasitology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Agriculture ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA, Intergenic/genetics ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; Encephalitozoon/*genetics/*isolation & purification ; Encephalitozoonosis/*epidemiology ; Feces/*parasitology ; Female ; Fungal Proteins/genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Typing ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Soil/*parasitology ; Young Adult

Trichomonad species inhabit a variety of vertebrate hosts; however, their potential zoonotic transmission has not been clearly addressed, especially with regard to human infection. Twenty-one strains of trichomonads isolated from humans (5 isolates), pigs (6 isolates), rodents (6 isolates), a water buffalo (1 isolate), a cow (1 isolate), a goat (1 isolate), and a dog (1 isolate) were collected in Indonesia and molecularly characterized. The DNA sequences of the partial 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene or 5.8S rRNA gene locus with its flanking regions (internal transcribed spacer region, ITS1 and ITS2) were identified in various trichomonads; Simplicimonas sp., Hexamastix mitis, and Hypotrichomonas sp. from rodents, and Tetratrichomonas sp. and Trichomonas sp. from pigs. All of these species were not detected in humans, whereas Pentatrichomonas hominis was identified in humans, pigs, the dog, the water buffalo, the cow, and the goat. Even when using the high-resolution gene locus of the ITS regions, all P. hominis strains were genetically identical; thus zoonotic transmission between humans and these closely related mammals may be occurring in the area investigated. The detection of Simplicimonas sp. in rodents (Rattus exulans) and P. hominis in water buffalo in this study revealed newly recognized host adaptations and suggested the existence of remaining unrevealed ranges of hosts in the trichomonad species.
Animals ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics ; Humans ; Indonesia/epidemiology ; *Mammals ; Protozoan Infections/epidemiology/*parasitology ; RNA, Protozoan/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Species Specificity ; Trichomonadida/*classification/*genetics/isolation & purification

We analyzed 320 clinical samples of parasitic infections submitted to the Department of Environmental Biology and Medical Parasitology, Hanyang University from January 2004 to June 2011. They consisted of 211 nematode infections, 64 trematode or cestode infections, 32 protozoan infections, and 13 infections with arthropods. The nematode infections included 67 cases of trichuriasis, 62 of anisakiasis (Anisakis sp. and Pseudoterranova decipiens), 40 of enterobiasis, and 24 of ascariasis, as well as other infections including strongyloidiasis, thelaziasis, loiasis, and hookworm infecions. Among the cestode or trematode infections, we observed 27 cases of diphyllobothriasis, 14 of sparganosis, 9 of clonorchiasis, and 5 of paragonimiasis together with a few cases of taeniasis saginata, cysticercosis cellulosae, hymenolepiasis, and echinostomiasis. The protozoan infections included 14 cases of malaria, 4 of cryptosporidiosis, and 3 of trichomoniasis, in addition to infections with Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, Giardia lamblia, and Toxoplasma gondii. Among the arthropods, we detected 6 cases of Ixodes sp., 5 of Phthirus pubis, 1 of Sarcoptes scabiei, and 1 of fly larva. The results revealed that trichuriasis, anisakiasis, enterobiasis, and diphyllobothriasis were the most frequently found parasitosis among the clinical samples.
Animals ; Arthropods/*pathogenicity ; Cestode Infections/*epidemiology ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology ; Malaria/epidemiology ; Nematode Infections/*epidemiology ; Protozoan Infections/*epidemiology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Trematode Infections/*epidemiology

A total of 450 stool samples were collected from inpatient and outpatient clinics of Pediatric Department, Minia University Hospital, Minia District, Egypt. Two groups of patients were studied, including 200 immunosuppressed and 250 immunocompetent children. Stool samples were subjected to wet saline and iodine mounts. A concentration technique (formol-ether sedimentation method) was carried out for stool samples diagnosed negative by wet saline and iodine mounts. Samples were stained by 2 different methods; acid fast stain (modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain) and Giemsa stain. Total 188 cases (94%) were diagnosed positive for parasitic infections among immunosuppressed children, whereas 150 cases (60%) were positive in immunocompetent children (P<0.0001). The most common protozoan infection in immunosuppressed group was Cryptosporidium parvum (60.2%), followed by Blastocystis hominis (12.1%), Isospora belli (9.7%), and Cyclospora caytenensis (7.8%). On the other hand, Entamoeba histolytica (24.6%) and Giardia lamblia (17.6%) were more common than other protozoans in immunocompetent children.
Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Egypt/epidemiology ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Helminthiasis/*epidemiology/immunology/parasitology ; Helminths/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; *Immunocompromised Host ; Male ; Opportunistic Infections/*epidemiology/immunology/parasitology ; Parasites/classification/genetics/*isolation & purification ; Protozoan Infections/*epidemiology/immunology/parasitology

Occupational infection is a human disease caused by work-associated exposure to microbial agents through human and environmental contact. According to the literature, occupational infection was the third leading cause of occupational disease (861 cases, 8.0%), and health care, agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers were risk groups in Korea. In addition, most high-risk groups have not been protected by workers' compensation, which could lead to underestimation of the exact spectrum and magnitude of the problem, and may also result in a lack of development and implementation of occupational infection management. Through a review of national guidelines and documentations on prevention and control of occupational infection, a management strategy would promote adherence to worker safety regulations if it is explicit with regard to the agent and mode of infection in each of the high-risk groups.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacterial Infections/*epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses/*epidemiology ; Occupational Diseases/*epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects ; Occupational Health/legislation & jurisprudence ; Protozoan Infections/*epidemiology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Virus Diseases/*epidemiology ; Workers' Compensation

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

Karaj is an area with large influx of refugee people in Iran. To increase knowledge about parasitic infections, we carried out this research during 2006-2008. We recorded the stool examination results and some of their personal characteristics. A total of 13,915 human stools were examined, and 649 (4.7%) were positive for intestinal parasites. Among them, 13 (0.09%) had worm and 636 (4.6%) had protozoan infections. Maximum infections belonged to Giardia intestinalis, and 534 (3.8%) samples had this infection. Other parasitic infections included Entamoeba coli (0.39%), Entamoeba histolytica (0.021%), Blastocystis hominis (0.08%), Trichomonas hominis (0.1%), Iodamoeba butschlii (0.06%), Chilomastix mesnili (0.007%), Endolimax nana (0.05%), Enterobius spp. eggs (0.028%), Taenia proglottids (0.028%), and Strongyloides stercoralis larvae (0.03%). The maximum numbers of referred people to laboratories were in July and the maximum percentage of infections was in August. There is a point that all 5 Strongyloides stercoralis infections were pertained to 2008. With attention to the rate of parasitic infections (4.7%), it seems that we should take additional educational information to wide spectrum of people living in this city.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eukaryota/*isolation & purification ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Helminthiasis/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Helminths/*isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Iran/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Protozoan Infections/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Seasons ; Young Adult

The status of intestinal parasitic infections and seroprevalence of cystic echinococcosis in the inhabitants in Dornod and Selenge, Mongolia, was observed with stool and serum samples from 165 and 683 residents from August 9 to August 15, 2003. A total of 10 inhabitants (6.1%) were found to be infected with protozoan cysts or oocysts by stool examinations; 7, 1 and 2 cases with Entamoeba coli, Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum, respectively. A total of 62 people (9.1%) revealed significantly high levels of specific antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The surveyed areas are rural areas and the sanitized tab water is not available. There is a possibility of endemic transmission of water-borne protozoan diseases in these areas. The clinical echinococcosis is needed to be searched from the seropositive inhabitants.
Protozoan Infections/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Mongolia/epidemiology ; Humans ; Giardia lamblia/isolation & purification ; Gastrointestinal Diseases/*epidemiology/*parasitology ; Entamoeba/isolation & purification ; Echinococcosis/*epidemiology ; Cryptosporidium parvum/isolation & purification ; Animals