• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.413-418
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• 2003

This survey of endoparasite infections among stray cats in Korea has been carried out during November 1995 to October 1997. A total of 215 stray cats were collected from SeoulㆍGyeonggi (54), Gangwon (38), Chungchong (34), Jeonla (38), and Gyeoungsang (51) areas. The positive rate of endoparasites was 184 (85.6%) cats among 215. Of isolated parasites, nematodes were the most often detected parasites especially Toxocara cati (102 cats), Ancylostoma tubaeformae (9 cats). The next most often detected parasites were cestodes (60/215; 27.9%) sepecially Spirometra erinaecei (34 cats), Taenia taeniaformis (26 cats). Opisthorchis tenuicollis was found in bile duct (9 cats) and Isospora spp. were identified in 41 cats (19.1 %). In mixed parasite infection, the rate of infections of nematodes, trematodes and protozoas was 3.3%, nematodes and cestodes with 8.8%, nematodes and protozoa with 4.2%, cestodes and protozoa with 1.9%. In parasitic infection by a considering age category, age from 2 to 4 years had the highest infection (92.3%), 1-2 years were 87.6%, over 4 years was 80.0%. 79.6 percents of the stray cats in SeoulㆍKyounggi areas were ranked the 1st in parasite infection. The next was Kyoungsang 76.5%, Kangwon 65.8%, Cholla 63.2% and Chungchong 61.8% in order. Considering age categories from birth to greater than 4 years, parasite infections were most prevalent in cats 2 to 4 years old; other ages seemed to have no effect on prevalence of parasitism. Also sex seemed to have no effect on prevalence of parasitism. In endoparasite infection, nematode and cestode infections were most frequently found, trematode infections were low, coccidiosis was showed very often.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.198-201
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• 2023

In the past decade, experts have conducted parasitological research on archaeological specimens in Korea to collect historical parasite infection data. In these studies, parasitologists successfully described the infection pattern of each parasite species in history. However, in the first half of the 20th century, archaeoparasitological reports have been scant. In 2021, we conducted a parasitological examination of a toilet-like structure that emerged in the early 20th century. This structure was built by stacking 2 wooden barrels; and in the study samples, we found ancient Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides (unfertilized), and Taenia spp. eggs and therefore proposed a higher possibility that the barrels could have been used as a toilet at the time. To understand how the antihelminthic campaign since the 1960s helped reduce parasite infection rates in Korea, more research should focus on early-20th-century toilet ruins.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.523-532
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• 2017

A field survey studying intestinal parasites in humans and microbial pathogen contamination at environment was performed in a Laotian rural village to identify potential risks for disease outbreaks. A parasitological investigation was conducted in Ban Lak Sip village, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR involving fecal samples from 305 inhabitants as well as water samples taken from 3 sites of the local stream. Water analysis indicated the presence of several enteric pathogens, i.e., Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp., E. coli H7, E. coli O157: H7, verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC), Shigella spp., and enteric adenovirus. The level of microbial pathogens contamination was associated with human activity, with greater levels of contamination found at the downstream site compared to the site at the village and upstream, respectively. Regarding intestinal parasites, the prevalence of helminth and protozoan infections were 68.9% and 27.2%, respectively. Eight helminth taxa were identified in fecal samples, i.e., 2 tapeworm species (Taenia sp. and Hymenolepis diminuta), 1 trematode (Opisthorchis sp.), and 5 nematodes (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, trichostrongylids, and hookworms). Six species of intestinal protists were identified, i.e., Blastocystis hominis, Cyclospora spp., Endolimax nana, Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar, Entamoeba coli, and Giardia lamblia. Questionnaires and interviews were also conducted to determine risk factors of infection. These analyses together with a prevailing infection level suggested that most of villagers were exposed to parasites in a similar degree due to limited socio-economic differences and sharing of similar practices. Limited access to effective public health facilities is also a significant contributing factor.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.243-247
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• 2009

The prevalence of liver and intestinal helminth infections, including Opisthorchis, Haplorchis, Phaneropsolus, hookworms, Enterobius, and Taenia, was surveyed in Khammouane province, Lao PDR. Fecal specimens were collected from 1,242 people (590 men and 652 women) in 3 Mekong riverside villages and were examined by the Kate-Katz thick smear technique. The overall helminth egg positive rate was 81.1%. The positive rate for small trematode eggs, including Opisthorchis viverrini, heterophyids, and lecithodendriids, was 81.1% and the positive rate for hookworms was 6.7%. To obtain adult worms, 35 people who were positive for small trematode eggs were treated with 20-30 mg/kg praziquantel and 10-15 mg/kg pyrantel pamoate, and then purged. Diarrheic stools were collected from 33 of these people and searched for helminth parasites using a stereomicroscope. Mixed infections with various helminths (Haplorchis taichui, Haplorchis yokogawai, Prosthodendrium molenkampi, Phaneropsolus bonnei, echinostomes, hookworms, Trichostrongylus spp., Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, and/or Taenia saginata) were found. The total number of helminth specimens collected was 20,907 (approximately 634 per person). The most common species was H. taichui, followed by P. molenkampi, 0. viverrini, P. bonnei, E. vermicularis, hookworms, and Trichostrongylus spp. These results show that diverse species of intestinal nematodes, trematodes, and cestodes are infecting humans in Khammouane province, Lao PDR.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.345-387
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• 2023

Paleoparasitology is a discipline that applies existing conventional and molecular techniques to study parasites found in ancient ruins. This review focuses on the history of the discovery of parasites (mostly helminth eggs and larvae) in archaeological soil samples and mummies in Korea from the Three Kingdoms Period to the Joseon Dynasty (100 BCE-1910 CE). We also briefly review important milestones in global paleoparasitology. The helminth species reported so far in Korea included Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis (larva), Trichostrongylus sp. (larva), Paracapillaria philippinensis (syn. Capillaria philippinensis), Enterobius vermicularis, Fasciola hepatica, dicrocoeliids, Paragonimus westermani, Clonorchis sinensis, Metagonimus yokogawai, Pygidiopsis summa, Gymnophalloides seoi, Isthmiophora hortensis, Dibothriocephalus nihonkaiensis (syn. Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense), and Taenia spp. tapeworms. The findings obtained by Korean paleoparasitologists/archaeologists have brought about deep insight into the status of helminthic infections in Korea's past populations. Continued paleoparasitological research is essential for further understanding of ancient parasites and parasitic diseases in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.197-201
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• 2017

Shahr-e Sukhteh (meaning burnt city in Persian) in Iran is an archeological site dated back to around 3,200-1,800 BC. It is located in Sistan and Baluchistan Province of Iran and known as the junction of Bronze Age trade routes crossing the Iranian plateau. It was appointed as current study area for paleoparasitological investigations. Excavations at this site have revealed various archeological materials since 1967. In the present study, sheep and carnivore coprolites excavated from this site were analyzed by means of rehydration technique using TSP solution for finding helminth eggs. Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Capillaria sp., and Taenia sp. eggs were identified, while some other objects similar to Anoplocephalidae and Toxocara spp. eggs were also retrieved from the samples but their measured parameters did not match those of these species. The present paper illustrates the first paleoparasitological findings of Bronze Age in eastern Iran supporting the economic activities, peopling, and communication as well as the appropriate condition for zoonotic helminthiasis life cycle in Shahr-e Sukhteh archeological site.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2021

Helminth infections are prevalent in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This study aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal helminthiasis in remote mountainous villages of northern Lao PDR. During the dry season in January 2017, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 3 remote mountainous villages in Oudomxay province, Lao PDR. Villagers older than 18 years of age who agreed to submit stool samples or undergo an interview, were recruited. Stool samples from 198 individuals were examined by the Kato-Katz method, and a questionnaire surveyed 161 individuals among them. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with the intestinal helminthiasis. An overall prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was 75.8%. Hookworm infection was the most common (63.1%), followed by Opisthorchis viverrini/minute intestinal flukes (17.7%), Taenia spp. (15.2%), Trichuris trichiura (2.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1.5%), and Enterobius vermicularis (1.0%). Questionnaire analysis revealed sex (male) and absence of latrine to be significant risk factors for hookworm infection and consumption of raw meat for taeniasis. These results suggest that the mountainous area in northern Lao PDR has a different composition of helminth infections from other studies conducted in Lao PDR; a high prevalence of hookworm infection and taeniasis and low prevalence of T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides infections were observed. Also, liver flukes or intestinal flukes were similarly prevalent in the mountainous area.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.36-41
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• 1985

To evaluate the parasitic infection rates among inhabitants in urban area of Seoul, Korea, a total of 5,275 stool and anal swab specimens was obtained from 2,527 male and Z,748 female living in 24 Dongs of 17 Kus. Cases were sampled randomely to represent 1,000 inhabitants refereed to the census in 1980. The methods employed were formalin ether technique to detect helminth ova and protozoan cysts and scotch tape anal swab technique to detect eggs of Enterobius vermicularis. The results obtained are as follows ; 1) Total positive rate of helminthes was 23.5% among 5,275 (male 22.5% and female 24.5%) specimens. Nine kinds of the helminthes were detected and infection rates of each helminth were; Ascaris lumbricoides 4.1%, Hookworm 0.1%, Trichuris trichiura 11.1%, Trichostrongylus orientalis 0.1%. Clonorchis sinensis 1.2%, Metagonimus yokogawai 0.1%, Taenia spp. 0.2%, Hymenolepis nana 0.3 and Enterobius vermicularis 9.6%. 2) Total positive rate of intestinal protozoa was 1.4%. Four kinds of the protozoan cysts were detected and the infection rates of each protozoa were; Entamoeba histolytica 0.15%, E. coli 0.4%, Endolimax nana 0.04% and Giardia lamblia 0.89%. 3) No significant differences in the parasitic infection rate by sex was noticed although male group showed lower infection rate than female group. However the incidence of C. sinensis, M. yokogawai and Taenia spp. was twice as much in female group as in male group. 4) No difference in the infection rate by age was found although E. vermicularis positive rate was highest in "0~9 years group" by 2.1% and C. sinensis infection rate was higher in over "30~39 years group". The parasitic infection rate of the present study was significantly lower than those of previous reports in Seoul area and other provinces.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.207-214
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• 1994

The prevalence of intestinal parasites and CLonorchis sinensis infection was observed among inhabitants in the upper stream of Kumgang (River) from Junuary to October 1991. A total of 743 fecal specimens was examined by cellophane thick smear and formalin-ether concentration technique. The parasite positive rate including helminth eggs and protozoan cysts was 40.8%, the positive rates for every species were: Clonorchis sinensis 30.8%, Metqgonimur app. 14.5%, Fosciolc spry. 0.7%, Tqsnia app. 1.5%, Asccris lumbricoides 0.4%, Enterobius vermicularis 0.1%, Hookworm 0.1%, Trichuris kichiura 1.6%, Entamoeba coli 0.7%, E. histolytica 0.3%, Endolimox nana 0.3%, Giardia lamblia 0.3% and lodamoebc buetschlii 0.1%, respectively. The cumulative positive rate in Okchon-gun showed 51.1%, in the Kumsan-gun 50.8% and in the Muju-gun 28.6%. Through this survey, it was concluded that the soil transmitted intestinal parasites including helminthseggs and protozoan cysts have been decreased remarkably among the inhabitants along the upper stream of Taechong Dam, Kum-gang (River), on the other side, Clonorchis sinensis, Metogonimw app. and Tuenin sap. are still inorderate prevalent. Key words: Intestinal parasites, Clonorchis sinensis, Metogonimus app. Fasciolc sup. Kumgang (River).

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2005

In order to investigate the epidemiological situation of intestinal parasite infections in Lao PDR, parasitological surveys were carried out on a national scale including 17 Provinces and the Vientiane Municipality. A total of 29,846 stool specimens were collected from primary schoolchildren in May 2000 June 2002 and examined once with the cellophane thick smear technique. The cumulative egg Positive rate For intestinal helminthes was 61.9%, BV species, the rate for As caris lumbricoides was 34.9%, hookworm 19.1%, Trichuris trichiura 25.8%,Opisthorchis viverrini 10.9%, Taenia spp. 0.6% and Hymenolepis spp. 0.2%. The northern mountainous regions suck as Phongsaly, Huaphan or Saysomboune Province showed higher prevalence(over 70%) of soil- transmitted helminthes. The regions along the Mekong River such as Khammuane, Saravaue or Savannakhet Province showed higher prevalence(over 20%)of fish-borne parasites. On the other hand, Schistosoma mekongi eggs were detected from1.7% of schoolchildren only in Champassak Province, a previously known endemic area. The highest prevalence was noted in Phongsaly Province(96.0%) and the lowest in Bolikhamxay Province(27.5%). An additional smal1-scale survey by cellophane anal swab detected Enterobius vermicularis eggs in 35.7% of 451 schoolchildren aged 6-8 in Khammuane, Vientiane, Champassak Province and the Vientiane Municipality. Meanwhile, the mean blood hemoglobin level of hootrworm-infected children was not lower than that of hookworm-uninfected children, suggesting that nutritional factors are more important than parasite infection per se. Nevertheless, the above results indicate that a nationwide parasite control project is necessary to reduce possible morbidity of parasitic diseases in the country.