The phylogenetic relationships of the 3 Neodiplostomum spp. (Digenea: Neodiplostomidae) occurring in Korea (N. seoulense, N. leei, and N. boryongense) were analyzed using the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) gene. The adult flukes were recovered from Sprague-Dawley rats (N. seoulense) and newborn chicks (N. leei and N. boryongense) experimentally infected with the neodiplostomula from the grass snake, Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus. The genomic DNA was amplified using specific primers, and the sequence of CO1 was obtained. According to the results, the pairwise similarity was 96.1% between N. boryongense and N. seoulense, but was 95.0% between N. boryongense and N. leei and 94.2% between N. leei and N. seoulense. The results demonstrated a closer phylogenetic relationship between N. seoulense and N. boryongense. This high relationship of N. seoulense and N. boryongense may be related to their similar morphologic features including the limited distribution of vitellaria and the presence of a genital cone. N. leei is distinct on the other hand with an extensive distribution of vitellaria and the absence of a genital cone.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Chickens ; Cluster Analysis ; Colubridae/*parasitology ; DNA, Helminth/chemistry/genetics ; Electron Transport Complex IV/*genetics ; Female ; Korea ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid ; Trematoda/*classification/*genetics

Six metacercariae were found from the gill filaments of Conger myriaster purchased at Mokpo City in Korea on 7 September 1996. Based on the morphology of the excysted specimen, we identified them as metacercariae of Heterophyopsis continua. C. myriaster is a new intermediate host of H. continua in the literature.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Heterophyopsis ontinua ; metacercaria ; intermediate host ; epidemiology ; Conger myriaster

The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-inhibition test using a Clonorchis sinensis species-specific mouse monoclonal antibody(MAb), CsHyb 0605-23, showed increased specificity over the conventional ELISA used for serodiagnosis of clonorchiasis. To characterize the corresponding antigen further, the MAb was tested against polysaccharide, protein and glycolipid fractions obtained from a crude extract of C. sinensis adult worms, using chloroform, methanol and phenol extractions. Only the polysaccharide fraction was recognized by the MAb among those fractions. Mild oxidation of the antigen with sodium periodate showed decreased reactivity against the MAb. We concluded that the antigen and antigenic determinants recognized by the MAb are carbohydrates.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Monoclonal antibody ; antigen ; immunology ; carbohydrate ; polysaccharide ; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ; diagnosis

An epidemiologic survey along the several sites of southern coastal areas of Korean peninsula was performed to know the infection status of Parvatrema spp. metacercariae in Tapes philippinarum. The clams were purchased from 13 coastal areas in Kyongsangnam-do and Chollanam-do, in September, 1990. Each of them was digested with pepsin-HCl solution and examined under a stereomicroscope for the recovery of metacercariae. A total of 232 (77.3%) out of 300 examined clams were proved to have 1 to 273 Parvatrema spp. metacercariae (54.7 in average). None of the clams from Samsan-myon Kosong-gun and Dolsan-up, Yochon-gun was infected with metacercariae. However, all of the clams from Yonghyun-myon, Sachon-gun, Dohwa-myon, Kohung-gun, Ahllyang-myon, Changhung-gun and Chiryang-myon, Kangjin-gun was infected with about 71, 31, 80 and 42 metacercariae respectively. Of the clams from Kohyun-myon, Namhae-gun, Doam-myon, Kangjin-gun and Kusan-myon, Uichang-gun examined, 97.5%, 95.0% and 90.0% were infected with about 117, 76 and 28 metacercariae. In other 4 surveyed areas, Seolchon-myon, Namhae-gun, Hwayang-myon, Yochon-gun, Byollyang-myon, Sungju-gun and Bukpyung-myon, Haenam-gun, 55.0%-80.0% of clams were positive, and their average intensity of infection ranged from 6 to 25 metacercariae. From these results, it was confirmed that Tapes philippinarum from southern coastal areas of Korea are highly infected with Parvatrema spp. metacercariae.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Parvatrema ; metacercaria ; epidemiology ; Tapes philippinarum

In order to know the species and frequency of human parasitic infection diagnosed by biopsy, 149 cases (0.18%) of parasitic infection were reviwed, which were selected from 80,947 biopsied materials submitted for routine histopathological examination during a period of 10 years from 1980 to 1989 at Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Hospital. They consisted of 112 cases of cysticercosis, 17 paragonimiasis, 7 clonorchiasis, 4 amebiasis, 1 sparganosis, 1 enterbiasis, 1 aniskiasis, and 1 fascioliasis respectively. Based on morphological preservation of cysticercus, they could be divided into mild (20.2%), morderate (40.4%), and severe (39.4%) degeneration. Except 2 cases biopsied at the lungs, 15 cases of ectopic paragonimiasis were located at abdominal cavity (8 cases) and central nervous system (7 cases). One case of intrahepatic fascioliasis was observed. This is the 13th human fascioliasis reported in Korea. From the above results, the frequency of parasitic infections found in biopsied specimens was on the decrease as the cysticercosis and ectopic paragonimiasis.
parasitology-helminth-cestoda-nematoda-trematoda ; biopsy ; histopathology ; tissue parasite ; cysticercose ; ectopic ; Enterobius vermicularis ; Taenia solium ; Paragonimus westermani ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Entamoeba histolytica ; Anisakis ; Fasciola sp. ; paragonimiasis ; fascioliasis

Surface ultrastructure of Parvatrema timondavidi developmental stages was studied using a scanning electron microscope. The metacercariae were collected from the marine clam, Tapes philippinarum, and juvenile and worms adult were recovered at 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after experimental infection of mice. The metacercariae had a large oral sucker and characteristic lateral projections. Around the lip of the oral sucker many type I and type II sensory papillae were observed, and type III papillae were located symmetrically on the medial side of the lateral projection. Numerous type I papillae were grouped around the genital pore. The tegumental spines were distributed over the worm surface except the lip of the sucker and genital pore. The 1-day old worm had a well-developed ventral sucker, with 6 type II sensory papillae on its outer surface and another 6 type I papillae on the inner side, Two small type I papillae were seen on the anterior side of the ventral sucker. The genital pore was and 15 type I papillae were grouped around it. The 2-, 3-, and 7-day worms revealed that as they grew to be adults, the spine tips became multipointed, the genital pore formed a genital atrium, and the cytoplasmic process became well differentiated. In 2- and 3-day worms 10 type II papillae encircling the lip of the oral sucker, and additional 4 papilled at the dorsal side of 4 dorsal type II papillae were a characteristic feature. The distribution pattern of sensory papillae around the oral sucker and genital pore, and 2 type I papillae on the anterior side of the ventra sucker, was so peculiar in P. timondavidi, that they seem to be useful keys for taxonomic differentiation from other gymnophallids.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Parvatrema timondavidi ; surface ultrastructure ; scanning EM, sensory papilla ; spine ; cytoplasmic process

A group of metacercariae encysted in the flesh of Mugil sp. were identified to be Stellantchasmus falcatus by the morphology of adult worms obtained experimentally. It is confirmed that mullets serve as a second intermediate host of this heterophyid fluke in Korea.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Stellantchamus falcatus ; metacercaria ; Mugil sp. ; intermediate host

A human case of Echinostoma cinetorchis infection was found in Seoul Paik Hospital on August 1987. Large trematode eggs, 98.9 x 62.7 micro-m in average size, were detected in stool examination. The eggs had a small-sized operculum and abopercular wrinkling. After treatment with praziquantel(single dose of 16.2 mg/kg) and purgation with magnesium citrate, an adult fluke was collected. It was 8.0 mm long, equipped with 37 collar spines around head crown, and had only one testis just behind the Mehlis' gland. It was identified as E. cinetorchis Ando et Ozaki, 1923. The patient is an 18-year old man residing in Seoul, and was hospitalized due to nephritis. He had eaten raw meat juice of fresh water fishes such as top minnows(Oryzias latipes) and loaches, or tadpoles, which are considered possible souce of this fluke infection. This is the 4th human case of E. cinetorchis infection in Korea.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Echinostoma cinetorchis ; case report ; echinostomiasis

A human case of Centrocestus armatus (Heterophyidae) infection was proved by identifying an adult worm collected after treatment with praziquantel in Korea. The case is 42-year old man who resides in a rural area in Sanchung-gun, Kyeongsangnam-do. The case was concomitantly infected with Clonorchis sinensis and had the history of eating raw freshwater fishes including Zacco platypus, which are known to be the second intermediate host of C. armatus in Korea.. This is the first report of natural human infection by C. armatus in the literature.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; Centrocestus armatus ; intestine ; Heterophyidae ; Clonorchis sinensis ; case report

This study was performed to observe the present status of intestinal parasitic infections in a remote island, Yondo, located in southern part of Jeonranam-do(province), Korea. In February and May 1988, total 1,011 individual stool samples were collected and examined for intestinal helminths and protozoa using formalin-ether centrifugal sedimentation technique. The results are summarized as follows: Of 1,011 ingabitants examined, 398(39.4%) were positive for intestinal parasites. Helminth positives were 372(36.8%), and protozoan cyst positives were 56(5.5%). Ten species of parasites were found. Trichuris trichiura revealed the highest infection rate of 27.5%, Ascaris lumbricoides 17.4%, Taenia sp. 5.8%, Entamoeba coli 3.3%, Giardia lamblia 1.5%, Endolimax nana 0.8%, Hymenolepis nana 0.4%, hookworm 0.2%, Trichostrongylus orientalis 0.2%, and Entamoeba histolytica 0.2%, respectively. The female group showed higher positive rate (44.0%) than males (34.7%). Also, higher positive rates were observed among adults as compared with the group younger than 10 years old. Average value of E.P.G. was 1,876(range 200-17,800) in A. lumbricoides positives, and 327(range 200-1,600) in T. trichiura positive cases. In helminth egg positive cases, single infection was 63.4%, double infection 34.7%, and triple infection 1.9%, respectively. Among protozoan cyst positives, single infection was 94.6%, and double infection was 5.4%. The present study revealed that the prevalence of intestinal parasites among inhabitants in Yondo island is still so high that special control measures should be performed.
parasitology-helminth-trematoda ; cestoda-nematoda-protozoa ; epidemiology ; Ascaris lumbricoides ; Taenia sp. ; Entamoeba coli ; Giardia lamblia ; Endolimax nana ; hookworm ; Trichostrongylus orientalis ; Entamoeba histolytica