[A Survey On The Prevalence Of Intestinal Protozoan Cysts In Jeonlanam Do, Korea]

Status of intestinal parasitic infections in a remote island, Yondo, Jeonranam-do: province

This study was performed to observe the present status of intestinal parasitic infections in a remote island, Yondo, located in southern part of Jeonranam-do(province), Korea. In February and May 1988, total 1,011 individual stool samples were collected and examined for intestinal helminths and protozoa using formalin-ether centrifugal sedimentation technique. The results are summarized as follows: Of 1,011 ingabitants examined, 398(39.4%) were positive for intestinal parasites. Helminth positives were 372(36.8%), and protozoan cyst positives were 56(5.5%). Ten species of parasites were found. Trichuris trichiura revealed the highest infection rate of 27.5%, Ascaris lumbricoides 17.4%, Taenia sp. 5.8%, Entamoeba coli 3.3%, Giardia lamblia 1.5%, Endolimax nana 0.8%, Hymenolepis nana 0.4%, hookworm 0.2%, Trichostrongylus orientalis 0.2%, and Entamoeba histolytica 0.2%, respectively. The female group showed higher positive rate (44.0%) than males (34.7%). Also, higher positive rates were observed among adults as compared with the group younger than 10 years old. Average value of E.P.G. was 1,876(range 200-17,800) in A. lumbricoides positives, and 327(range 200-1,600) in T. trichiura positive cases. In helminth egg positive cases, single infection was 63.4%, double infection 34.7%, and triple infection 1.9%, respectively. Among protozoan cyst positives, single infection was 94.6%, and double infection was 5.4%. The present study revealed that the prevalence of intestinal parasites among inhabitants in Yondo island is still so high that special control measures should be performed.

[Intestinal parasite survey in Seoul by stool examination at Hanyang University Hospital]

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the present status of intestinal parasitic infection in Seoul area, Korea. During the period from June 1985 to July 1986, a total of 5,251 stool samples were collected in Department of Clinical Pathology, Hanyang University Hospital and examined by formalin-ether sedimentation technique once for helminth ova and protozoan cysts. The results were summerized as follows: The overall egg positive rate of intestinal helminthes was 2.53 per cent; and 1.43 per cent for Clonorchis sinensis, 0.7 per cent for Trichuris trichiura, 0.13 per cent for Metagonimus yokogawai, 0.06 per cent for hookworm, and 0.02 per cent for Ascaris lumbricoides, Diphyllobothrium latum and Hymenolepis nana, respectively. The overall cyst positive rate of intestinal protozoa was 1.07 per cent. Cyst positive rate was 0.06 per cent for Entamoeba histolytica and 0.13 per cent for Giardia lamblia, respectively. Higher prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was observed in male and in 21-50 year-old groups. The highest prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis infection was observed in 40th age group(3.4 per cent), and male (2.3 per cent) was more infected than female (0.7 per cent) in general.

[Epidemiological Studies On Protozoan Infection In Gyeong-Gi Do And Jeonra Bug Do]

The present study was designed to elucidate the recent prevalence of the intestinal protozoa and to demonstrate the relationship on prevalence of the surveyed population with their academic career and living conditions. During the period from May to July 1981, total 2,735 fecal specimens were collected from the inhabitants of 11 areas in Gyeong-gi Do (province) near by Seoul City, and 6 areas in Jeonra Bug Do, southwestern part of Korea. The samples were fixed with SAF solution and were examined by formalin-ether sedimentation technique. The results are summarized as follows: Overall positive rate of intestinal protozoa was 11.1 %: Gyeong-gi Do, 10.7 %; Jeonra Bug Do, 11.7 %. Five species of intestinal protozoa were detected: Entamoeba histolytica 0.69 %, Entamoeba coli 5.52 percent, Endolimax nana 2.71 %, Giardia lamblia 2.23 %, Iodamoeba butschlii 0.l8 %. Highest positive rates among the examined areas were recognized: Incheon City of Gyeong-gi Do, 26.7 %; Im-sil Gun(county) of Jeonra Bug Do, 19.9 %. By species, E. nana showed the highest prevalence rate (13.74 %) in Incheon City, and E. histolytica (2.37 %) and E. coli (9.95 %) in Im-sil Gun. Prevalence of E. histolytica in rural areas was higher than in urban areas. No significant difference in the prevalence rate by sex and age was recognized, although the group under 10 years and over 60 years were lower than in other age groups. The highest positive rate of E. histolytica was observed in pauper group and significant linearity of prevalence rate of E. histolytica by monthly income was observed. The inhabitants who used conventional latrine showed higher prevalence, 11.5 %, than the group of inhabitants who used modified privy. Although no significant difference of positive rate was recognized by academic career, but the lowest prevalence rate was observed in college graduates. Over half of the surveyed population, 64.8 % has no experience on anthelmintic practice. Number of anthelmintic application resulted no difference in prevalence. In conclusion, prevalences of intestinal protozoa in Gyeong-gi Do and Jeonra Bug Do decreased remarkably in comparison with those of one decade before. However, economic level, academic career and anthelmintic administration seemed no essential reasons for such declination.