Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

The Korea Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (대한기생충학·열대의학회)
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Tissue parasitic helminthiases are prevalent at Cheongjin, North Korea

  • Shen, Chenghua (Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Li, Shunyu (Department of Parasitology, Yanbian University College of Medicine) ;
  • Zheng, Shanzi (Department of Parasitology, Yanbian University College of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Min-Ho (Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Bae, Young-Mee (Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Hong, Sung-Tae (Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
  • Published : 2007.06.30
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Abstract

We investigated a small-scale serological survey to screen tissue-parasitic helminthiases of North Koreans as one of research programs for re-unification of Korea. Soil-transmitted helminthiases were found highly prevalent among North Korean residents at the border with China. ELISA using 4 tissue-parasitic helminth antigens was applied to 137 residents living in Cheongjin-shi, Hamgyeongbuk-do, North Korea and 133 female refugees in South Korea in 2004-2005. Among a total of 270 samples, 31 (11.5%), 25 (9.3%), and 11 (4.1%) were positive for specific IgG antibodies to antigens of Clonorchis sinensis, Taenia solium metacestode, and sparganum, respectively. The overall positive rate was 21.5%; 38.2% in males and 15.8% in females. The present finding suggests that tissue parasites, such as C. sinensis, T. solium metacestode and sparganum are highly prevalent in some limited areas of North Korea. These foodborne tissue-parasitic helminthiases should be considered for future control measures of parasitic diseases in North Korea.

Keywords

References

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