• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.179-181
• /
• 2000

Stool and cellotape anal swab examinations were carried out in August 1997 on handicapped people at an institution located in Chorwon-gun, Kangwon-do, Korea. A total of 112 stool samples (78 males and 34 females) revealed three cases of Trichuris trichiura infection and one case of Enterobius vermicularis infection. Other helminth eggs were not detected. The overall prevalence rate was 35.7% (38.5% for males and 29.4% for females). More than two different kinds of parasites were found in 42.0% of the positive stool samples (17 cases). The infection rates for protozoan cysts are as follow : Entamoeba coli (25.0%), E. histoIUtica (1.8%), Endolinax nana (21.4%), Iodoamoeba butschlii (1.8%) and Giardia lamblia (0.9%). In cellotape anal swab examinations (165 samples), the prevalence rate of E. vemicularis was 20.6% (25.7% of males and 9.6% of females). In conclusion, the handicapped people in the institution showed higher infection rates of protozoan parasites and E. vemicularis, possibly due to more accessibility to the infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.53 no.5
• /
• pp.583-595
• /
• 2015

DEAD/DExH-box RNA helicases catalyze the folding and remodeling of RNA molecules in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as well as in many viruses. They are characterized by the presence of the helicase domain with conserved motifs that are essential for ATP binding and hydrolysis, RNA interaction, and unwinding activities. Large families of DEAD/DExH-box proteins have been described in different organisms, and their role in all molecular processes involving RNA, from transcriptional regulation to mRNA decay, have been described. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge about DEAD/DExH-box proteins in selected protozoan and nematode parasites of medical importance worldwide, such as Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania spp., Trypanosoma spp., Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Brugia malayi. We discuss the functional characterization of several proteins in an attempt to understand better the molecular mechanisms involving RNA in these pathogens. The current data also highlight that DEAD/DExH-box RNA helicases might represent feasible drug targets due to their vital role in parasite growth and development.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.109-114
• /
• 1990

Status of intestinal protozoan and helminthic infections was surveyed in mestizo population living in rural parish of Palmar and its nearby recintos(villages) , Three of the surveyed villages were at the Pacific coast and 5 villages were in inner pasture land, located about 100 km west of Guayaquil, the second largest city in Ecuador. One stool sample was examined by one cellophane thick smear for helminth ova and one direct smear stained with Lugol's iodine solution for protozoan cysts. Of 325 persons examined, 66.1% were positive for any ova or cyst. The positive rates were: 18.1% for Ascaris lumbricoides, 19.4% for Trichuris trichiura, 0.6% for hookworm, 3.7% for Hyntenolepis nana, 1.8% for Taenia sp., 19.4% for Entnmoeba histolytica, 28.6% for Entamoeba coli, 5.5% for Endolimax nasa, 1.5% for ledamoeba buetschlii, 11.l% for eiardia lamblia and 0.6% for Chilomastix mesnili. Poor supply of potable water was considered the main cause of high prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.201-203
• /
• 2004

A survey was conducted to determine the extent of intestinal parasite infection in Bat Dambang, Cambodia in March 2004. A total of 623 fecal specimens was collected from kindergarten and schoolchildren and examined using the formalin-ether sedimentation technique. The overall infection rate of intestinal parasites was 25.7% (boys, 26.2%; girls, 25.1%), and the infection rates of intestinal helminthes by species were as follows: Echinostoma sp. 4.8%, hookworm 3.4%, Hymenolepis nana 1.3%, and Rhabditis sp. 1.3%. The infection rates of intestinal protozoa were; Entamoeba coli 4.8%, Giardia lamblia 2.9%, Iodamoeba butschlii 1.4%, Entamoeba polecki 1.1 %, and Entamoeba histolytica 0.8%. There were no egg positive cases of Ascaris lumbricoides or Trichuris trichiura. All children infected were treated with albendazole, praziquantel, or metronidazole according to parasite species. The results showed that intestinal parasites are highly endemic in Bat Dambang, Cambodia.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.215-220
• /
• 2014

We analyzed 320 clinical samples of parasitic infections submitted to the Department of Environmental Biology and Medical Parasitology, Hanyang University from January 2004 to June 2011. They consisted of 211 nematode infections, 64 trematode or cestode infections, 32 protozoan infections, and 13 infections with arthropods. The nematode infections included 67 cases of trichuriasis, 62 of anisakiasis (Anisakis sp. and Pseudoterranova decipiens), 40 of enterobiasis, and 24 of ascariasis, as well as other infections including strongyloidiasis, thelaziasis, loiasis, and hookworm infecions. Among the cestode or trematode infections, we observed 27 cases of diphyllobothriasis, 14 of sparganosis, 9 of clonorchiasis, and 5 of paragonimiasis together with a few cases of taeniasis saginata, cysticercosis cellulosae, hymenolepiasis, and echinostomiasis. The protozoan infections included 14 cases of malaria, 4 of cryptosporidiosis, and 3 of trichomoniasis, in addition to infections with Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, Giardia lamblia, and Toxoplasma gondii. Among the arthropods, we detected 6 cases of Ixodes sp., 5 of Phthirus pubis, 1 of Sarcoptes scabiei, and 1 of fly larva. The results revealed that trichuriasis, anisakiasis, enterobiasis, and diphyllobothriasis were the most frequently found parasitosis among the clinical samples.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.116-126
• /
• 1984

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 summarised as follows: 1, Overall positive rate of intestinal protozoa was 11. l% : Gyeong-gi Do, 10.7%; Jeonra Bug Do, 11.7%. 2. Five species of intestinal protozoa were detected: Entamoeba histolytica 0.69% : Entamoeba cali 5.52%; Endolimax nana 2.71%, Giardia lamblia 2.23%; lodamoeba biitschlii 0.18%. 3. 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%. 4. 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. 5. Prevalence of E. histolytica in rural areas was higher than in urban areas. 6. No significant difference in the prevalence rate by sect and age was recognized, although the group under 10 years and over 60 years were lower than in other age groups. 7, The highest positive rate of E. histolytica was observed in pauper group and significant linearity of prevalence rate of E. histozytica by monthly income was observed. 8. The inhabitants who used conventional latrine showed higher prevalence, 11.5%, than the group of inhabitants who used modified privy. 9. Although no significant difference of positive rate was recognized by academic career, but the lowest prevalence rate was observed in college graduates. 10. 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.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.645-650
• /
• 2019

Despite differences in virulence between strains of Toxoplasma gondii, rapid and accurate genotyping methods are lacking. In this study, a method was developed to detect and genotype T. gondii in food and environmental samples using PCR and a novel peptide nucleic acid (PNA) melting array. An alignment of genome sequences for T. gondii type I, II, and III obtained from NCBI was generated, and a single nucleotide polymorphism analysis was performed to identify targets for PCR amplification and a PNA melting array. Prior to the PNA melting array, conventional PCR was used to amplify GRA6 of T. gondii. After amplification, the PNA melting array was performed using two different PNA hybridization probes with fluorescent labels (FAM and HEX) and quenchers. Melting curves for each probe were used to determine genotypes and identify mutations. A 214-bp region of the GRA6 gene of T. gondii was successfully amplified by PCR. For all T. gondii strains (type I, II, and III) used to evaluate specificity, the correct genotypes were determined by the PNA melting array. Non-T. gondii strains, including 14 foodborne pathogens and 3 protozoan parasites, such as Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Entamoeba histolytica, showed no signal, suggesting that the assay has a high specificity. Although this is only a proof-of-concept study, the assay is promising for the fast and reliable genotyping of T. gondii from food and environmental samples.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.207-214
• /
• 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 agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.107-111
• /
• 1990

A survey was undertaken to evaluate the present status of intestinal infection in army soldiers. Stool specimen of 417 soldiers fixed by SAF solution were collected from a camp located in area of Nakdong river during the period from August to October of 1990. And these stool samples were examined by formalin-ether sedimentation technique once for helminths and protozoan cysts stained with Lugol's iodine solution. The results obtained in this survey were summarized as follows : l) The overall positive rate of intestinal parasite was 18.0%. 2) The egg positive rate of intestinal helminth was 15.1%, : and 11.5% for Clonorchis sinensis. 5.0% for Metagonimus vokogawai, 1.2% for Ascaris lumbricoides 1.7% for Trichiuris trichiura. 0.2% for Taenia sp. 3) The cyst positive rate of intestinal protozoa was 4.1% ; and 1.4% for Entamoeba coli, 1.9% for Giardia lamblia 0.7% for Entamoeba histolytica, 0.5% for Endolimax nana. 4) Most of samples were positive(85.3%) by single species. 10.7% by two species, 2.7% by three species and 1.3% by four species. 5) Infection rate of intestinal parasites among army soldiers decreased distinctly compared with previous data but it is revealed that the infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis among army soldiers in area of Nakdong river is still high in comparison with ever-reported data. 6) SAF fixatives used in this field survey during summertime was useful to conserve protozoan cyst and helminths ova. Also we could examine stool samples directly by formalin-ether sedimentation technique.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.5
• /
• pp.579-582
• /
• 2017

To investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in Yanbian Prefecture, Jilin Province, China, epidemiological surveys were conducted on a collaboration basis between the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Yanbian Center for Disease Control and Prevention. A total of 8,396 (males 3,737 and females 4,659) stool samples were collected from 8 localities and examined with the formalin-ether sedimentation technique, and additionally examined with the cellotape anal swab to detect Enterobius vermicularis eggs. The overall rate of intestinal parasites was 1.57%. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was the highest (0.80%), followed by Entamoeba spp. (0.23%), heterophyid flukes (0.15%), Clonorchis sinensis (0.08%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.07%), hookworms (0.06%), Trichostrongylus spp. (0.06%), Giardia lamblia (0.04%), Paragonimus spp. (0.02%), Diphyllobothrium spp. (0.02%), Trichuris trichiura (0.02%). The prevalence by sex was similar, 1.58% (n=59) in males and 1.57% (n=73) in females. By the present study, it is partly revealed that the prevalences of intestinal parasite infections are relatively low among the inhabitants of Yanbian Prefecture, Jilin Province, China.