• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.633-637
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• 2018

Present study was performed to survey on infection status of Isthmiophora hortensis (formerly Echinostoma hortense) metacercariae (IhMc) in dark sleepers, Odontobutis spp., from some water systems of the Republic of Korea. A total of 237 Odontobutis spp. was collected in the water systems of 5 rivers, i.e., Mangyeong-gang (gang means river), Geum-gang, Tamjin-gang, Seomjin-gang, and Nakdong-gang. They were all examined with artificial digestion method for 5 years (2013-2017). A total of 137 (57.8%) Odontobutis spp. were infected with 14.8 IhMc in average. The prevalence was the highest in Nakdong-gang areas (62.9%) and followed by in Mangyeong-gang (57.1%), Geum-gang (56.3%), Tamjin-gang (54.8%), and Seomjin-gang (53.9%) areas. Metacercarial densities were 28.1 (Geum-gang), 13.9 (Mangyeong-gang), 13.3 (Nakdong-gang), 13.1 (Tamjin-gang), and 2.3 (Seomjin-gang) per infected fish. Especially, in case of Yugucheon (cheon means stream), a branch of Geum-gang, IhMc were detected in all fish (100%) examined and their density was about 48 per fish. By the present study, it was confirmed that the infection status of IhMc is more or less different by the surveyed areas and the dark sleepers, Odontobutis spp., are suitable fish hosts of I. hortensis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2019

The infection status with Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae (CsMc) was examined in freshwater fishes from Yangcheon (a branch of Gyeongho-gang), which is located in Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, the Republic of Korea. Total 2,201 fishes in 26 species were examined by the artificial digestion method through 7 years. CsMc were detected in 1,171 (53.2%) fishes in 21 spp. (80.8%) and their density was 85 per fish infected. Total 532 (99.6%) out of 534 Pungtungia herzi (index fish) examined were infected with 147 CsMc per fish infected. Metacercarial densities in this fish were highest in 2015 (179 CsMc), followed by 2012 (168), 2013 (152), 2016 (145), 2014 (114), and 2017 (89) respectively. In the gobioninid fish group, i.e., P. herzi, Sarcocheilichthys spp., Squalidus spp., Pseudogobio esocinus, Hemibarbus longirostris, and Hemibarbus labeo, 841 (92.7%) fishes were infected with 117 CsMc per fish infected. Total 250 (54.7%) acheilognathinid fish (bitterlings), Acheilognathus spp. and Acanthorhodeus spp. were infected with 5.8 CsMc. In the rasborinid fish (chubs) group, i.e., Zacco platypus, Zacco temminckii, and Zacco koreanus, 77 (13.7%) out of 563 fish examined were infected with 2.4 CsMc in average. The susceptibility indices of CsMc were 49.09 in the overall positive fish group, 104.15 in the gobioninid group, 3.17 in the acheilognathinid group and 0.35 in the rasborinid fish group respectively. Only 1 CsMc was detected in 3 fish species, Coreoperca herzi, Channa argus, and Lepomis macrochirus, respectively. Conclusively, it was confirmed that CsMc are moderately prevalent in fishes from Yangcheon in Sancheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.635-645
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• 2020

Morphological and molecular characterization of clinostomid metacercariae (CMc) was performed with the specimens collected in fish from Korea and Myanmar. Total 6 batches of clinostomid specimens by the fish species and geographical localities, 5 Korean and 1 Myanmar isolates, were analyzed with morphological (light microscopy and SEM) and molecular methods (the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene and internal transcribed spacer 1/5.8S rRNA sequence). There were some morphological variations among CMc specimens from Korea. However, some morphometrics, i.e., the size of worm body and each organ, ratio of body length to body width, and morphology of cecal lumens, were considerably different between the specimens from Korea and Myanmar. The surface ultrastructures were somewhat different between the specimens from Korea and Myanmar. The CO1 sequences of 5 Korean specimens ranging 728-736 bp showed 99.6-100% identity with Clinostomum complanatum (GenBank no. KM923964). They also showed 99.9-100% identity with C. complanatum (FJ609420) in the ITS1 sequences ranging 692-698 bp. Meanwhile, the ITS1 sequences of Myanmar specimen showed 99.9% identity with Euclinostomum heterostomum (KY312847). Five sequences from Korean specimens clustered with the C. complanatum genes, but not clustered with Myanmar specimens. Conclusively, it was confirmed that CMc from Korea were morphologically and molecularly identical with C. complanatum and those from Myanmar were E. heterostomum.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.1-29
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• 2024

This article analyzed the infection characteristics of metacercariae of Metagonimus spp. (MsMc) in fish from 9 major water systems in Korea. A total of 19,568 fish in 87 species were examined over a period of 10 years (2011-2020). MsMc were detected in fish from all 44 survey areas in 9 water systems. Most of the surveyed sites showed very low and low infection levels (66.7%), while 33.3% of the areas, such as Tamjin-gang and Seomjin-gang, revealed moderate and high infection levels. High endemicity depends on the abundance of susceptible fish species, especially sweet smelt (Plecoglosus altivelis). The susceptibility index (SI) with MsMc in index fish, Zacco spp., was very low and low levels in 62.0%, moderate in 28.0%, and high in 10.0% regions. The SI was highest in the following order: Yeongam-cheon (283.8), Hoeng-cheon (192.3), Togyo-jeosuji (131.2), Deokcheon-gang (119.1), and Joyang-gang (106.3). The recent infection status of MsMc in P. altivelis was analyzed by the survey localities. In addition, except for P. altivelis, 9 fish species were highly infected with MsMc in some survey areas, including Zacco platypus, Z. koreanus, Z. temminckii, Opsariichthys uncirostris, Rhynchocypris oxycephalus, Carassius auratus, Acheilognathus rhombeus, Onchorhynchus masou, and Tribolodon hakonensis. In Korea, 74 fish species (15 families) are collectively listed as second intermediate hosts of Metagonimus spp. This review provides several novel characteristics of MsMc infection and clarifies the fish species of second intermediate host of Metagonimus spp. in this country.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.123-139
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• 1985

The present survey was undertaken to observe the geographical distibution of matacercaria among the sweetfish, Plecoglossus altivelis, the most important second intermediate host of Metagonimus yokegawai, which were collected during the period from 1983 to 1984 in south-eastern coastal areas of Korea. The results obtained were summarized as follow: 1. A total of 668 sweetfish collected from 70 chins (=streams) in the above coastal arcus was examined for the metacercariae, and 432 (64.7%) among them were infected with metacercariae of M. yokogawai. The mean number of metacercariae in a fish was in the range from 0 to 29,604 and the mean number of the metacercariae in a fish was 640.3. 2. It was observed that the mean infection rate showed 46.45 in Gangweon-Do (=province) . The infection rates varied from stream to stress showing 100% in Namdae stream(Gangnun-city) , Obsib stream (Samchok-gun) and Dongmak, 95.0% in Hosan stream, 90.0% in Gungchin stream, and Namdae stream (Yangyang-fp) ,80.0% in Hwasang stream,50.0% in Daebong stream,45.0% in Yonghwa stream, 30.0% in sangchsn stream and Sachsn stream, 20.0% in Munam stream and Okgyoe stream, 15.0% in Imweon stream, 10.0% in Namchsn stream. And no metacercarial infections in their fish host were found in the areas of Mulchi stream, Sangun stream, Gosamun stream, Jonchon stream and Gagok stream. 3. It was observed that the mean infection rate showed 50.9% in Kyangsangbuk-Do (=province). The infection rates also varied from stream to stream showing 100% in Songchon stream, Osib stream (Yongdok-gun) and Daejong stream,60.0% in Pyanghae stream and Gunmu stream,50.0% in Buhwung stream and stream, 25.0% in Nagok stream, 20.0% in Oangbi stream, 10.0% in Namhodong stream. And no metacercarial infections in their fish host were found in the areas of Namdae stream (Uljinup) and Chaksan stream. 4. It was observed that the mean infection rate showed 67.6% in Kyangsangnam-Do(=province). The infection rates varied from stream to stream showing 100% in Taehwa river, Hwiya river, Inchfn stream, Miryang river, Nam river, Hwagae stream, Koha stream, Sosang stream, and Tongchon stream,90.9% in Yancho stream,90.0% in Hoihwa stream,80.0% in Chindong stream, 66. YoA in Chingyo stream, 40.0% in Hoyam river. And no metacercarial infections in their fish host were found in the areas of Chinjon stream, Sanchan stream and Jukch6n stream. 5. It was observed that the mean infection rate showed 94.6"A in 0h511anam-Do(=province). The infection rates varied from stream to stream showing 100% in DongchEn stream, Isachon stream, Somjin river(GoksEng-gun) , Ssmjin river(Kurye-gun) , S6si stream, Gokchsn stream, Kohung stream, Kwansan stream, Youi stream, stream, Unj6n stream and Apnae stream, 92.3% in Tamjin river, 90.9% in Okkok stream, 84.6% in Songgen stream. And no metacercarial infections in their fish host were found in the area of Ypmgpl stream. 6. On the other hand, the infection rate showed 100% in Inchsn river of Chollabuk Do (=province) (=province) and Kangsn stream of Cheju-Do(=province) .

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2000

Present study was performed to observe the surface ultrastructures of Stictadora furcatum (Trematoda: Heterophyidae). Adult worms were recovered from the cat experimentally infected with metacercariae, and were prepared for scanning electron microscopy. The body was leaf-like and ventrally concave. The oral sucker armed with prominent tegumental spines on the inner surface, and it's lips were obscure. Sensory papillae (type I) in single or grouped forms symmetrically arranged around the oral sucker. The ventrogenital opening retained protruding gonotyl spines and sperms discharged from the genital pore . The body surface was covered with scale-like multipointed tegumental spines. The density and digitated point of spines were gradually decreased toward the posterior end of the body. The digitated points of spines on the anterior portion were 9-12, on the middle were 7-8 and 5-6, and on the posterior were 2-3 and peg-like. Although the tegumental ultrastructure of S. fuscatum was generally similar to those of other heterophyid flukes , the oral sucker with tegumental spines on the inner surface and without obvious lips, and the ventrogenital opening with protruding gonotyl spines were suggested to be the characteristic features.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.57-61
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• 2001

The present study examines the potential involvement of Biomphalaria glabrata, a known molluscan intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, in the life cycle of Echinostoma cinetorchis, one of the echinostomes that are ubiquitous parasites of vertebrates and are of importance in human and veterinary medicine and wildlife diseases. Echinostomes can be maintained easily and inexpensively in the laboratory and provide good models for biological research ranging from the molecular to the organismal. In the present study, no echinostome cercariae were released from the B. glabrata experimentally infected with E. cinetorchis miracidia, whereas all the Biomphalaria snails infected with E. cinetorchis cercariae were found to be infected with the metacercariae. This is the first report that B. glabrata can experimentally serve as the second intermediate host of E. cinetorchis, and that it might be employed as one of the target molluscs for establishing a biological research model with E. cinetorchis in the laboratory.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.809-812
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• 2016

Adult specimens of Oswaldotrema nacinovici (Digenea: Philophthalmidae) have been first identified in Korea from 2 migratory birds (whimbrels, Numenius phaeopus) which were found dead at a western seashore area near Gunsan. The worms were recovered in the intestine of these birds. The worms were morphologically characterized by a large ventral sucker in comparison to the oral sucker, an external seminal vesicle extending beyond the posterior margin of the ventral sucker, and conspicuous uterine seminal receptacle. It was noteworthy that metacercariae-like bodies were contained within the inflated regions of 2 ceca. Other intestinal trematode species found in whimbrels included Spelotrema pygmeum, Gynaecotyla squatarolae, Maritrema obstipum, and Himasthla megacotyle. Zoonotic potential of these trematode species should be taken into considerations.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.75-78
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• 1997

In uitro excystation studies were done on the metacercarial cysts of Echinostomn triuolvis obtained from the kidneys of naturally infected Rnna species tadpoles. Cysts were excysted in an alkaline trypsin-bile salts medium and the percentage of excystation was compared with that from previous studies done on cysts obtained from the kidneys of snails. The percentage of excystation of E. triuoluis metacercariae from tadpole kidneys was similar to that reported for previous studies on cysts obtained from experimentally infected gastropod hosts. The possible role of tadpoles as an agent for the transmission of Echinostomn and echinostomiasis to humans is discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.19-23
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• 1985

Collections of Semisulcospira snails and crayfishes were made to detect out larval trematodes in Bogil Islet, Wando-Gun, Chonra-Nam-Do, Korea in August, 1985. In addition, intradermal test to figure out the prevalence rate of paragonimiasis in the islanders was also carried out. The results are summarized as follows: 1) Nineteen out of 186 examinees(10.2%) showed positive reactions by intradermal test with Paragonimus antigen. 2) Forty four snails out of 182 snails collected were infected with trematode cercariae. These larvae were Metagonimus sp., Cercaria yoshidae, Cercaria incerta and Cercarianipponensis. 3) Metacercarial incidence of Paragonimus westermani in crayfish was 65.4%. Mean number of metacercariae per crayfish was 6.5.