Human parasites in Korea

Demonstration Of Entamoeba Histolytica Cyst From Urban And Rural School Children

School children between 6 to 12 years of age were studied for the presence of Entamoeba histolytica cysts in a period of 6 months, form March to August 1980. Fecal specimens collected form urban and rural children were examined first by the Lugol stained technique and then by the Faust's iron alum hematoxylin method. A total of 731 specimens were examined. Of these 26.9 per cent, 197 specimens, harbored the cysts. The demonstration rate for the cysts by age group varied from 19.6 to 43.5 per cent. The demonstration rate in boys was 24.4 per cent and in girls 29.8 per cent. Similarily, the rate in urban and rural area was 32.4 and 24.1 per cent, respectively. It was found in the present study that there were no significant differences in the age and sex rates of demonstration between urban and rural children but there was a predominance of the small race of Entamoeba histolytica over the large race.

[Prevalence Of Intestinal Parasites In Korea]

A survey of intestinal parasites infection among Korean people has been carried out during July 1969 to December 1970. A total of 2,250 stool specimens (male 1,101, female 1,146) was collected from all the provinces and Seoul city in Korea. The specimens were examined routinely by direct fecal smear, zinc sulfate flotation and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Of 2,250 specimens examined, l,803(80.l %) were positive for intestinal parasites. 2. The positive rates of intestinal helminths were 1,644(73.1 %) among 2,250; Ascaris lumbricoides 46.0 %, Trichocephalus trichiurus 46.8 percent, hookworm 6.8 %, Trichostrongylus orientalis 7.0 percent, Clonorchis sinensis 12.1 percent, Enterobius vermicularis 1.6 %, Hymenolepis nana 0.7 percent, Taenia species 0.3 %, Metagonimus yokogawai 0.04 percent, Fasciolidae 0.04 % and one case of lung fluke Paragonimu westermani. 3. The positive rstes of intestinal protozoa were 786(34.9 %); Entamoeba histolytica 6.4 %, Entamoeba coli 20.5 percent, Endolimax nana 10.0 %, Giardia lamblia 5.1 %, Trichomonas hominis 1.1 percent, Chilomastix mesnili 0.5 percent, Iodamoeba butschlii 0.6 percent, Enteromonas hominis 0.7 percent, Dientamoeba fragilis 0.1 % and one case of Isospora hominis. 4. Sexual distribution of helminths and protozoan infections showed higher rate in female than that of male, except C. sinensis, H. nana, Taenia species or G. lamblia. 5. Infections of T. trichiurus, hookworm, T. orientalis, C. sinensis, Taenia species, E. histolytica, E. coli and E. nana increased with age. Conversely, H. nana and G. lamblia infections were more predominent in younger ages.