Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

The Korea Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (대한기생충학·열대의학회)
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A survey of Brugia malayi infection on the Heugsan Islands, Korea

  • Jong-Yil Chai (Department of Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University Medical Research Center) ;
  • Soon-Hyung Lee (Department of Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University Medical Research Center) ;
  • Sung-Yil Choi (Department of Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University Medical Research Center) ;
  • Jong-Soo Lee (Department of Medical Zoology, National Institute of Health) ;
  • Tai-Soon Yong (Department of Parasitology and Institute of Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Yonsei University) ;
  • Kyun-Jong Park (Korea Association of Health Promotion) ;
  • Kyeong-Ae Yang (Korea Association of Health Promotion) ;
  • Keon-Hoon Lee (Korea Association of Health Promotion) ;
  • Mi-Jeng Park (Korea Association of Health Promotion)
  • Published : 2003.03.01
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Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis due to Brugia malayi infection was endemic in several areas of South Korea. The infection was controlled, or disappeared, in most areas, with the exception of the remote southwestern islands of Jeonranam-do, including the Heugsan Islands. To discover its current situation, a small-scale survey was performed on the Heugsan islands in September 2000. A total of 378 people, 151 male and 227 female, living in 8 villages (6 on Daeheugsan-do, 1 on Daejang-do, and 1 on Yeongsan-do) were subjected to a night blood survey for microfilaremia, and physical examination for elephantiasis on the extremities. There were 6 (1.6%) microfilaria positive cases, all in females aged 57-72 years, and from only two villages of the Daeheugsan-do area. There were 4 patients with lower leg elephantiasis, but they showed no microfilaremia. The results show that a low-grade endemicity of filariasis remains on the Daeheugsan-do.

Keywords

References

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