Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

The Korea Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (대한기생충학·열대의학회)
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Discovery of Parasite Eggs in Archeological Residence during the 15th Century in Seoul, Korea

  • Cho, Pyo Yeon (Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Inha University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Jung-Min (Han Ul Research Institute of Cultural Heritage) ;
  • Hwang, Myeong-Ki (Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Inha University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Seo Hye (Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Inha University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Yun-Kyu (Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Inha University School of Medicine) ;
  • Jeon, Bo-Young (Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Yonsei University) ;
  • Kim, Tong-Soo (Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Inha University School of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Hyeong-Woo (Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Yonsei University)
  • Received : 2016.10.19
  • Accepted : 2017.04.14
  • Published : 2017.06.30
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Abstract

During civil engineering construction near Sejong-ro, Jongro-ku, Seoul, cultural sites were found that are thought to have been built in the 15th century. This area was home to many different people as well as the leaders of the Yi dynasty. To gain further insight into the life styles of the inhabitants of the old capital, soil samples were collected from various areas such as toilets, water foundations, and drainage ways. Parasite eggs were examined by microscopy after 5 g soil samples were rehydrated in 0.5% trisodium phosphate solution. A total of 662 parasite eggs from 7 species were found. Species with the highest number of eggs found were Ascaris lumbricoides (n=483), followed by Trichuris trichiura (138), Trichuris vulpis (21), Fasciola hepatica (8), Clonorchis sinensis (6), Paragonimus westermani (4), and Metagonimus yokogawai (2). These findings indirectly indicate the food habits of the people in Yi dynasty.

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References

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