• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.357-364
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• 1995

The protozoan parasite, Entcmoeba histoIWticc, is one of major causative agents of intestinal disease all over the world. In acute experimental infection, the early host response to 5. histoIHtica is characterized by an infiltration of neutrophils. However, the chemotactic signal for this response is not well known. Based on the (jading that human epithelial cells produce the potent neutrophil chemoattractant and activator, interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-8 gene expression was examined thoroughly in human colon epithelial cells exposed to 5. histolvtica trophozoites. Cellular RNAs were extracted from HT-29 or Caco-2 human colon epithelial cells exposed to 5. histoLvtica trophozoites for 30 minutes, 1 and 3 hours. IL-8 mRNA transcripts were measured by reverse transcriptional polprnerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using synthetic standard RNA. The number of IL-8 mRNA molecules increased from 30 minutes to 3 hours of exposure period, reaching 3.1 H 107 molecules/ug of total RNA. Expression pattern of IL-8 mRNA transcripts was parallel to the amounts of IL-8 protein measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Lysates of 5. histoIVtica also induced expression of mRNA for IL-8 in colon epithelial cells. These results sugf:esc that acute inflammatory reaction by 5. histoIVticc may be initially triggered by proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 secreted from epithelial cells of the colon.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2010

To understand protozoan, viral, and bacterial infections in diarrheal patients, we analyzed positivity and mixedinfection status with 3 protozoans, 4 viruses, and 10 bacteria in hospitalized diarrheal patients during 2004-2006 in the Republic of Korea. A total of 76,652 stool samples were collected from 96 hospitals across the nation. The positivity for protozoa, viruses, and bacteria was 129, 1,759, and 1,797 per 10,000 persons, respectively. Especially, Cryptosporidium parvum was highly mixed-infected with rotavirus among pediatric diarrheal patients (29.5 per 100 C. parvum positive cases), and Entamoeba histolytica was mixed-infected with Clostridium perfringens (10.3 per 100 E. histolytica positive cases) in protozoan-diarrheal patients. Those infected with rotavirus and C. perfringens constituted relatively high proportions among mixed infection cases from January to April. The positivity for rotavirus among viral infection for those aged $\leq$ 5 years was significantly higher, while C. perfringens among bacterial infection was higher for $\geq$ 50 years. The information for association of viral and bacterial infections with enteropathogenic protozoa in diarrheal patients may contribute to improvement of care for diarrhea as well as development of control strategies for diarrheal diseases in Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.727-733
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• 2013

Despite the existence of effective anthelmintics, parasitic infections remain a major public health problem in Southeast Asia, including Thailand. In rural communities, continuing infection is often reinforced by dietary habits that have a strong cultural basis and by poor personal hygiene and sanitation. This study presents a survey of the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the people in rural Thailand. The community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in villages in Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand, from July to August 2013. A total of 253 stool samples from 102 males and 140 females, aged 2-80 years, were prepared using formalin-ethyl acetate concentration methods and examined using light microscopy. Ninety-four individuals (37.2%) were infected with 1 or more parasite species. Presence of parasitic infection was significantly correlated with gender (P=0.001); nearly half of males in this survey (49.0%) were infected. Older people had a higher prevalence than younger members of the population. The most common parasite found was Opisthorchis viverrini (26.9%), followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (9.5%), Taenia spp. (1.6%), echinostomes (0.4%), and hookworms (0.4%). The prevalence of intestinal protozoa was Blastocystis hominis 1.6%, Entamoeba histolytica 0.8%, Entamoeba coli 0.8%, Balantidium coli 0.4%, Iodamoeba b$\ddot{u}$tschlii 0.4%, and Sarcocystis hominis 0.4%. Co-infections of various helminths and protozoa were present in 15.9% of the people. The present results show that the prevalence of parasitic infections in this region is still high. Proactive education about dietary habits, personal hygiene, and sanitation should be provided to the people in this community to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections. Moreover, development of policies and programs to control parasites is needed.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.267-274
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• 1996

This study was performed to observe the present status of intestinal parasitic infections among the children in Iksan, Jeonbuk, Korea. During the period from February to June 1996, total 510 fecal samples(male 276, female 234) were collected and examined by formalin-ether sedimentation technique and trichrome stain for intestinal helminths and protozoan cysts. Of 510 samples examined, 62(12.2%) were positive for intestinal parasites. Helminth egg positives were 3(0.6%), and protozoan cyst positives were 59(11.6%). The female group showed higher positive rate(13.2%) than males(11.2%), and the highest positive rates were observed in 7 age group(17.5%), and lowest positive rates were 4 age group(9.5%). 3 species of helminths egg and 6 species of protozoan cyst were detected; Metagonimus yokogawai 0.4%, Enterobius vermicularis 0.2%, Trichuris trichiura 0.2%, Endolimax nana 4.1%, Entamoeba coli 3.9%, Ciardia lamblia 2.0%, Entamoeba histolytica 1.4%, Iodamoeba butschilii 0.8%, and Chilomastix mesnili 0.4%, respectively. In 3 helminth egg positive cases, single infection was 2(66.7%), and double infection 1(33.3%), among 59 protozoan cyst positives, single infection was 54(91.5%), and double infection was 5(8.5%). The highest positive rate of protozoan cyst was 7 age group(14.3), and lowest positive rate was 4 age group(9.5%).

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.275-284
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• 1988

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: 1. Of 1,011 inhabitants examined, 398(39.4%) were positive for intestinal parasites. Helminth positives were 372(36.8%) , and protozoan cyst positives were 56(5.5%) . 2. 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%, Ciardia Zamblia 1.5%, Endelimax nasa 0.8%, Hymenolepis nana 0.4%, Hookworm 0.2%, Trichostrongylus orientalis 0,2%, and Entamoeba histolytica 0.2%, respectively. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. In helminth egg Positive cases, single in(traction 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.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.275-277
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• 2000

The status of intestinal parasite infections was investigated in two rural villages (Chitrasar, Jerona) in Chitwan District, Nepal in 1999. Stool examination was performed with a total of 300 specimens from schoolchildren by formalin-ether sedinentation technique. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasite infections in the surveyed areas was 44.0%. The prevalence rate in Jerona was slightly higher than that in Chitrasar. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasite infections in female was slighly higher than that in male without statistically significant difference. Entamoeba coli was the most commonly found protozoan parasite (21.0%) followed by Giardia lamblia (13.7%) and others (5.3%). Hookworm was the most prevalent intestinal helminth (13.0%) followed by Trichuris trichiura (3.0%) and others (5.0%). forty-three specimens (14.3%) Showed mixed infections. It is necessary to implement large-scale treatment with anthelminthics, health education and sanitary improvement for intestinal parasite control in the surveyed areas.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2012

A total of 450 stool samples were collected from inpatient and outpatient clinics of Pediatric Department, Minia University Hospital, Minia District, Egypt. Two groups of patients were studied, including 200 immunosuppressed and 250 immunocompetent children. Stool samples were subjected to wet saline and iodine mounts. A concentration technique (formol-ether sedimentation method) was carried out for stool samples diagnosed negative by wet saline and iodine mounts. Samples were stained by 2 different methods; acid fast stain (modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain) and Giemsa stain. Total 188 cases (94%) were diagnosed positive for parasitic infections among immunosuppressed children, whereas 150 cases (60%) were positive in immunocompetent children ($P$<0.0001). The most common protozoan infection in immunosuppressed group was $Cryptosporidium$ $parvum$ (60.2%), followed by $Blastocystis$ $hominis$ (12.1%), $Isospora$ $belli$ (9.7%), and $Cyclospora$ $caytenensis$ (7.8%). On the other hand, $Entamoeba$ $histolytica$ (24.6%) and $Giardia$ $lamblia$ (17.6%) were more common than other protozoans in immunocompetent children.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.133-141
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• 2001

A cDNA of 1.1 kb comprising the gene encoding the peroxiredoxin of Toxo-plasma gondii(TgPrx) has been cloned. The open reading frame of 591 Up was translated into a protein of 196 amino acids with a molecular mass of 25 kDa. Conserved 2 cysteine domains of Phe-Val-Cys-Pro and Glu-Val-Cys-Pro indicated TgPrx belonged to 2-Cys Prx families. TgPrx showed the highest homology with that of Arabidopsis thaliana by 53.9% followed by Entamoeba histolytica with 39.5% by the amino acid sequence alignment. Polyclonal antibody against recombinant TgPrx detected 25 kDa band in T. gondii without binding to host cell proteins TgPrx was located in the cytoplasm of T. gondii extracellularly or intracellularly by immunofluorescence assay. The expression of TgPrx was increased as early as 30 min after the treatment with artemisinin in the intracellular stage, while no changes in those of host Prx I and TgSOD. This result implies that TgPrx may function as an antioxidant protecting the cell from the attack of reactive oxygen intermediates. It is also suggested that TgPrx is a possible target of chemotherapy.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.96-100
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• 2017

Amebic liver abscess (ALA) is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of amebiasis. Amebiasis, a parasitic infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica, used to be a prevalent protozoan disease in Korea, however, with an improving sanitary system, it has been among very uncommon etiology of liver abscess. A recent report suggested that ALA is an emerging parasitic infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients even in areas where the disease is not endemic and recommended HIV screening in patients in areas where ALA is not endemic, particularly those without history of travel to a disease-endemic area. We report on two patients who were admitted for treatment of ALA and then diagnosed as HIV infection. We also reviewed the etiology and characteristics of ALA in our hospital during the last 5 years.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2002

집쥐가 인체 기생충 전파에 어느 정도의 역할을 하는지 그 양상을 밝히고자 전라북도 남원, 익산지역에서 포획한 집쥐의 체내 기생충 감염상을 조사하였다. 섬진강 상류 남원지역에서 32마리, 만경강 중류 익산지역에서 53마리를 채집하여 총 85마리였고, 종별로는 곰쥐(Rattus rattus) 28마리, 시궁쥐(Rattus norvegicus) 57마리였다. 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 1. 남원, 익산지역의 집쥐 85마리 중 71마리(83.5%)에서 체내 기생충이 검출되었다. 2. 폐장이 회수되었던 집쥐 74마리 중 35마리(47.3%)에서 폐장에 기생하는 조직 기생충인 폐포자충(Pneumocystis carinii)이 검출되었다. 3. 전체 85마리의 가로막에서 선모충(Trichinella spiralis)을 조사하였고, 폐심장 혈관계에서 광동주혈선충(Angiostrongylus cantonensis)을 조사하였으나 한 예도 검출하지 못하였다. 4. 간을 조사한 바 85마리 중 간모세선충(Capillaria hepatica) 22례(25.9%), Taenia taeniaeformis의 유충(Cysticercus fasciolaris) 9례(10.6%), 간흡충(Clonorchis sinensis) 1례(1.2%)가 검출되었다. 5. 장내용물을 조사 한 바 85 마리 중 50례(58.9%)에서 윤충 및 원충이 검출되었다. 윤충은 쥐조충(Hymenolepis diminuta), 극구흡충류(Echinostoma sp.), 쥐요충류(Syphacia sp.), 분신충류(Strongyloides sp.) 등이었고 원충은 대장아메바(Entamoeba coli) 등이었다. 이상의 결과에서 인수공통 질환을 일으킬 수 있는 폐포자충, 쥐조충, 간흡충 등이 집쥐에 감염되어 있어 철저한 집쥐 관리가 요망된다.