• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.289-298
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• 2015

The infection status of freshwater fish with digenetic trematode metacercariae was examined in water systems of Hantangang and Imjingang (River), the Republic of Korea. A total of 877 (594 from Hantangang and 283 from Imjingang) fishes were examined by the artificial digestion methods. Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae were detected in 7 (1.2%) fishes (in 3 spp.) from Hantangang in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, and 40 (14.1%) fishes (in 7 spp.) from Munsancheon in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do. The average densities were 1.9 and 35.6 per fish infected, respectively. Metagonimus spp. metacercariae were detected in 312 (52.5%) and 113 (39.9%) fishes from Hantangang and Imjingang, and their average densities were 47.5 and 9.6 per fish infected, respectively. Centrocestus armatus metacercariae were found in 161 (27.1%) and 70 (24.7%) fishes from Hantangang and Imjingang, and their average number per fish infected was 694 and 82, respectively. Echinostoma spp. metacercariae were detected in 50 (8.4%) and 94 (33.2%) fishes from Hantangang and Imjingang, and their average densities were 9.6 and 23.1 per fish infected, respectively. The infection status of fishes with metacercariae of Stephanoprora spp., Diplostomum spp., Clinostomum complanatum, Metorchis orientalis, and Metorchis taiwanensis were analyzed by surveyed regions. Conclusively, it was confirmed that C. sinensis metacercariae were quite commonly detected in fishes from Munsancheon but rarely from other localities, whereas the metacercariae of other digenetic trematodes were relatively prevalent in fishes from water systems of Hantangang and Imjingang in Korea.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.44-65
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• 1983

As a part of the epidemiological studies of clonorchiasis, this study was conducted to evaluate the current endemicity and the natural transition of the Clonorchis infection in Gimhae Gun and delta area a high endemic area in Korea in recent years, prior to the introduction of praziquantel which will eventually influence the status of the prevalence. The data obtained in this study in 1983 were evaluated for natural transition of the infection in comparison with those obtained 16 years ago in 1967 by the author(Kim, 1974). The areas of investigation, villages and schools surveyed, methods and techniques used in this study were the same as in 1967, except for the contents of the questionnaire for raw freshwater fish consumption by the local inhabitants. 1) The prevalence rate of clonorchiasis in the general population of the villages was 48.1% on the average out of a total of 484 persons examined. The average of those of the riverside-delta area was 65.2% and 43.0% in the inland area. Among the schoolchildren, the prevalence rate was 8.2% on the average out of a total of 1,423 examined. By area, the prevalence rate was 10.8% in the riverside delta area and 2.8% in the inland area. By sex, difference in the prevalence was seen only in the inhabitants of the inland area showing 52.4% in the male and 33.5% in the female. 2) In the natural transition of the infection, the prevalence rate among the inhabitants has decreased from 68.8% in 1967 to 48.1% in 1983, and in the schoolchildren from 56.4% in 1967 to 8.2% in 1983. The reduction rate was higher in the riverside-delta area than in the inland area. 3) In the prevalence rate by age, 11.9% was first seen in the 5-9 age group and the rate gradually increased up to 75.0% in the 50-59 age group. By sex, the rate was higher in the male than in the female in the 20-29 age group and over. 4) In the natural transition of the prevalence rate by age, the reduction rate of the infection during the past 16 years was greater in the younger age groups up to the 40-49 age group and reached the same level in the age group 50-59. Reduction was seen again in the age group over 60s. By sex, the reduction rate was greater in the female than in the male in the 20-29 age group and over. By area, the reduction rate was greater in the riverside delta area than in the inland area, particularly in the young age groups. 5) In the intensity of the infection among the cases, the mean egg out-put per mg feces per infected cases(EPmg) in the inhabitants was 6.3. EPmg of those of the river-side-delta area was 15.4 and that of the in-land was 2.8. On the other hand, in the schoolchildren, EPmg was 3.2, and no difference was seen between the two areas, the river-side-delta area and the inland area. 6) In the transition of the intensity of the infection by area, EPmg among the inhabitants inexplically increased from 7.8 in 1967 to 15.4 in 1983. This was probably caused by uneven specimen collection in the process of sampling the population. EPmg of the inhabitants in the inland area and those of the schoolchildren of both riverside delta and inland areas showed a similar decrease in the past 16 years. 7) The intensity of the infection by age showed a relatively low level in the 20-29 age group and below, and EPmg 5.1-9.5 was seen in the 30-39 age group and over. Sex, Epmg was 5.8 in the male and 4.7 the female. By in 8) In the transition of the intensity of the infection, EPmg decreased from 6.2 in 1967 to 5.4 in 1983. By age, in contrast to the figures of 1967 in which EPmg gradually increased with some fluctuation from 1.1 in the 0-4 age group to peak 10.5 in the 50-59 age group, in 1983 lower intensity of the infection was seen in the age group from 10-14 to 20-29 with the EPmg range of 0.6-2.7. 9) In the distribution of the clonorchiasis cases by the range of EPmg value, 43.2% of the cases were in 0.1 0.9 and 34.6% in 1.0-4.9. As a whole by cumulative percent, 44.6% of them were under 0.9 as light infection and 86.1% of them under 9.9 up to moderate infection. By sex, no difference was seen in Epmg. 10) In the transition of the distribution by the range of Epmg, the cases were distributed up to the range 80.0-99.9 in 1967 and to 60.0-79.9 in 1983. By cumulative percent, in the range of 0.1-0.9 and less, light infection, 34.3% of them were distributed in 1967 and 44.6% in 1983 with about 10% increase. In the range of 5.0-9.9 and less, up to moderate infection, 83.2% in 1967 and 86.1% in 1983 of the cases were seen, respectively. 11) The practice of raw freshwater fish consumption among the inhabitants seems to have decreased in recent years. Those who admitted to raw freshwater fish consumption in the last two years among the infected inhabitants were 59.3%, although 86.8% of them professed to have experience with raw freshwater fish consumption. 31.7% of those who have had experience of the raw freshwater fish consumption denied any further consumption in recent years. From an interview of 543 school-children, 24.1% of them admitted to an experience of raw freshwater fish consumption. However, those who have practised in the past two years comprized 17.9%. Those who denied raw freshwater fish consumption in recent years among those who had such experience were 26.0% out of 131 interviewed. The rate of raw freshwater fish consumption in both inhabitants and schoolchildren were higher in the male than in the female. On the contrary, the rate of those who did not practise in recent years among those who had experience of raw freshwater fish consumption was higher in the female than in the male. 12) The major reason for the reduction of raw freshwater fish consumption among the local inhabitants was the risk of the fluke infection. However, it has become apparent that such change of taste has resulted from water pollution impact which has affected throughout the areas of the freshwater systems in this locality since last several years. 13) In animal survey, Clonorchis infection was seen in 14.8% of 88 dogs examined and 3.7% of 27 house rats examined. It was noted that populations of dogs and cats have increased in the villages surveyed. Although the prevalence rate was lower in the present survey than those of 1967, the significance of the animals as the reservoir host has not changed. 14) Prevalence rate of Clonorchis infection by cercariae in the first intermediate host, Parafossarulus manchouricus, was 0.6% out of 517 snails examined. The infection rate was lower in comparison with 2.3% out of 2,124 examined in 1967. Moreover, sharp decreases in number and distribution of the intermediate host snails in many watershed areas of the huge freshwater systems in this locality seemed to reduce transmission of Clonorchis in connection with the intermediate host stage of its life cycle. 15) Clonorchis infection in the second intermediate fish hosts was relatively low. The mean number of Clonorchis metacercaria per fish in Pseudorasbora parva was 517 in 1983, whereas it was 1943 in 1968 through 1969. Environmental water pollution has also caused the decreased fish population density in these areas, and this has also apparently affected to the practice of raw freshwater fish consumption among the local inhabitants. 16) In conclusion, endemicity of Clonorchis infection in Gimhae Gum and delta area of the Nagdong River has sharply decreased during the past 16 years. The major cause of the regressive transition of the infection was the water pollution of the land water systems of this locality. The pollution has upset the ecosystems comprizing of the intermediate hosts of Clonorchis in many areas, and also affected to a significant extent to the discontinuance of the local inhabitants for raw freshwater fish consumption.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the myxosporidian parasites from several organs of freshwater fishes caught from Dongjin River, Jeonbuk Province of Korea. Twelve myxosporidian species were dectected from five fish species out of sixteen fish species. From the gall bladder of Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, Zschokkella opiocephali was found; from the skin, gall bladder, liver and spleen of Pseudobagrus fulvidraco, Zschokkella opiocephali and Myxobolus cheisini were found; from the gill, skin, gall bladder and kidney of Carassius carassius, Zschokkella ctenopharyngodonis, Chloromyxum koi, Sphaerospora sinensis, Myxosoma abbottinae, Myxobolus koi and Myxobolus suturalis were found; from the kindney of Misgumus anguillicaudatus, Myxidium lieberkuhni, Neomyxobolus ophicephali and Telohanellus misgurni were found; from the gill of Cyprinus carpio, Myxosoma abbottinae and Myxobolus dispar were found. All these parasitized fishes didn't show any specific symptom.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.638-645
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• 2019

This research was an evaluation of the fish fauna and the habitat for Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis (B. lenok tsinlingensis) for 11 stations at the Bonghwa-gun sanctuary. The predominant species in this research area was Zacco koreanus. B. lenok tsinlingensis, which has been designated as an endangered freshwater fish in Korea, was found in the Bonghwa sanctuary zone, except at stations 5 and 6. The B. lenok individuals were shorter in length than 400 mm. In total, 13 endemic species were found, including Coreoleuciscus splendidus and Iksookimia longicorpus. Specimens of Koreocobitis naktongensis, a first grade endangered species, were also collected. The benthic macroinvertebrates consisted of four divisions, four classes, seven orders, 30 families, 60 species, and 10,344 individuals and were distributed among the orders Ephemeroptera (55.9%), Diptera (18.2%), Trichoptera (12.4%), Plecoptera (2.1%), and Odonata (0.3%).

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.173-177
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• 2009

Lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) was detected from olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, painted glass fish Chanda baculis, gourami Trichogaster leeri and rockfish Sebastes schlegeli, and proteins of the viruses were compared. The major capsid protein (MCP) gene-specific primer sets successfully amplified approximately 1300 bp nucleotides from the olive flounder and 600 bp nucleotides from painted glass fish, gourami and rockfish isolates, respectively. In western blotting analysis using anti-LCDV mouse polyclonal serum, major antigenic proteins had 21, 26, 45, 50, 80, 110 and 120 kDa in olive flounder, 26, 47 and 80 kDa in painted glass fish, 26, 46, 80 and 92 kDa in gourami, 26, 44, 49, 80 and 105 in rockfish, respectively. All the marine and freshwater isolates showed only common antigens of approximately 26 kDa and 80 kDa. These results suggest that antigenic protein profiles of LCDVs may vary depending upon fish species.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.391-397
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• 2014

We evaluated the status of Clonorchis sinensis infection and potential risk factors among residents of riverside areas (Geumgang) in Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do (Province), Korea. From January to February 2010, a total of 349 (171 males, 178 females) stool samples were collected and examined by the formalin-ether concentration technique. Also, village residents were interviewed using questionnaires to obtain information about C. sinensis infection-related risk factors. Overall egg-positive rate of C. sinensis was 13.2%. Egg-positive rates were significantly higher in males, farmers, and residents who had lived there more than 20 years, and in residents who had eaten raw freshwater fish than in opposite groups, respectively. However, there was no significant difference between age groups, education levels, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, health status, past history of infection, and experience of clonorchiasis medication and examination. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine risk factors for clonorchiasis. On univariate analysis, the odds ratios for males, farmers, those who had lived there more than 20 years, and who had eaten raw freshwater fish were 2.41, 4.44, 3.16, and 4.88 times higher than those of the opposites, respectively. On multivariate analysis, the odds ratio of residents who had eaten raw freshwater fish was 3.2-fold higher than that of those who had not. These results indicate that residents living in Muju-gun, along the Geum River, Korea, have relatively high C. sinensis egg-positive rates, and the habit of eating raw freshwater fish was the major factor for the maintenance of clonorchiasis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2018

The infection status of Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae (CsMc) was examined in freshwater fish from a highly prevalent site, Wicheon (a branch of Nakdong-gang), which is located in Gunwi-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the Republic of Korea. Total 1,162 fish in 32 species were examined by the artificial digestion method through 6 years. CsMc were detected in 720 (67.5%) out of 1,067 fish (26 spp.) and their density was 610 per fish infected. In the susceptible gobioninid fish group, i.e., Pungtungia herzi, Squalidus gracilis majimae, Squalidus japonicus coreanus, Sarcocheilichthys variegatus wakiyae and Pseudorasbora parva, all of 323 fish were infected with an average of 1,310 CsMc. Total 23 (95.8%) gobioninid fish, i.e., Pseudogobio esocinus, Abbottina springeri, Hemibarbus longirostris, Microphysogobio koreensis, and Microphysogobio jeoni, were infected with 127 CsMc in average. In the acheilognathinid fish (bitterlings) group, the prevalence was 77.0%, and the density was 50 CsMc per fish infected. In the rasborinid fish (chubs) group, i.e., Zacco platypus, Zacco temminckii, Zacco koreanus, and Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, 147 (36.5%) out of 403 fish examined were infected with 15 CsMc in average. The susceptibility indices of CsMc were 412 in the overall positive fish group, 1,310 in the gobioninid group-1, 122 in the gobioninid group-2, 38.5 in the acheilognathinid group, and 5.5 in the rasborinid fish group. Conclusively, it was confirmed that CsMc are highly prevalent in fish from Wicheon, and their infection tendency varied according to the subfamily groups in Cyprinidae fish hosts.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.394-403
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• 2009

The fish fauna and community structures were investigated at 15 stations in the midupper region of the Seomjin River watershed from August in 2008 to April in 2009. During the studying period, 42 species belonging to 11 families were collected. Dominant family in the all sites was Cyprinidae (28 species, relative abundance: 66.7%) during the study. Total of 42 species (primary freshwater: 40 species, peripheral freshwater: 2 species) were found with the primary freshwater fishes being the highest. Dominant species was Zacco platypus (22.3%), and subdominant species was Coreoferea herzi (10.8%). Also, Pseudogobio esocinus (9.0%) and Carassius auratus (5.8%) were numerous. There were 17 Korean endemic species (40.5%), including Rhodeus ocellatus, Acheilgnathus koreensis, A. somjinensis, Coreoleuciscus splendidus and Sarcocheillichthys variegatus wakiyae. Among them, Acheilgnathus somjinensis was identified for designation required to protect under a wildlife category. In conclusion, we could define that the Seomjin River watershed has a very good water conditions as habitat of fish.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.28-39
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• 2019

This study was conducted to elucidate microplastics detection of freshwater ecosystems in Geum river. Samples are collected at 6 points in freshwater, 5 points in fishes. Freshwater was sampled 100 L per each points and fish species were Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, Hemibarbus labeo, Pseudogobio esocinus, Zacco platypus, Micropterus salmoides and Cyprinus carpio. FTIR analyis was adopted to identify microplastic types. Extracted microplastics were PES (polyester), PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PVC(Polyvinyl chloride) in freshwater, and PES, PE, PP, PET, PVC in fishes. Our results were expected to be used basic research information for further study in microplastics of freshwater ecosystems.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.201-219
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• 2012

The estuaries bank of Nakdong River, Korea, was constructed in 1987 and many arguments have been under discussion on the subject of ecological impact on ecosystem during 20 years. In this context, however, it was not focused on the role of fish-way and the way of improvement to promote fish movement to complete its life history. This paper was the result of investigation on fish fauna of upper and lower part of the bank and the analysis of comparison of the fishes with those using fish-way which were installed in each side of bank as ladder type and fish gate. The authors discussed the importance of fish gate and its management base on the result. The number of fishes collected in this study for upper part of estuaries bank was 31 species, among them 71% was the pure freshwater residents indicating the characteristics of the area as a freshwater ecosystem. It was observed that 9 species of coastal fishes were found in this region including Coilia ectens and Neosalanx sp. which is anadromous to spawn. Excluding 6 freshwater fishes, 30 fish species collected in lower part of estuaries bank were coastal fishes indicating that former brackish ecosystem was changed into marine one. The freshwater fishes found in this region were restricted the appearance only in the season of discharging freshwater into the sea. The number of fishes found in fish-way was 39 species, more than that of river and coast. But only 19 species founded in fish ladder was comparable with the result of investigation on fish gate including 32 species. It was considered that the fish gate has more important role as a fish passage from the fact that only it allowed to movement of numerous number of fry of Neosalanx sp. and Engraulis japonicus. These results indicates that two-way movement system is more efficient than downward only one in estuaries bank for fish migration.