Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

The Korea Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (대한기생충학·열대의학회)
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Updates on parasite infection prevalence in the Joseon period based on parasitological studies of human coprolites isolated from archaeological sites in the cities of Euijeongbu, Gumi, and Wonju

  • Chang Seok Oh (Department of Mortuary Science, College of Bio-convergence, Eulji University) ;
  • Jong-Yil Chai (Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Sori Min (Nuri Institute of Archaeology) ;
  • Kyong Taek Oh (Sudo Institute of Cultural Heritage) ;
  • Jeonghwan Seol (Sejong Research Institute of Cultural Heritage) ;
  • Mi Kyung Song (Department of Fashion Design and Marketing, Seoul Women's University) ;
  • Dong Hoon Shin (Institute of Forensic and Anthropological Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Min Seo (Department of Parasitology, Dankook University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2022.09.22
  • Accepted : 2022.12.15
  • Published : 2023.02.28
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Abstract

Parasite infection rates estimated by examining ancient coprolites can provide insights into parasitism in Joseon society. Using newly discovered Joseon period cases is essential to regularly update the parasite infection rates and reinforce the reliability of our previous estimations. In the present study, we investigated parasite infections in Joseon coprolites newly isolated from the cities of Euijeongbu, Gumi, and Wonju. We then updated the overall parasite infection rates of Joseon period samples (n= 30) as follows: 86.7% (26/30) for Trichuris trichiura, 56.7% (17/30) for Ascaris lumbricoides, 30.0% (9/30) for Clonorchis sinensis, and 30.0% (9/30) for Paragonimus westermani. The parasite infection rates in the Joseon society, estimated through coprolite examination, were very similar to those determined previously despite the addition of new cases to the existing data pool.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (NRF-2022R1C1C1013540). This study was conducted after obtaining a review exemption from the Institutional Review Board of Eulji University (IRB No. EU22-40).

References

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