• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.44 no.1 s.137
• /
• pp.7-13
• /
• 2006

Heterophyid metacercarial infections in brackish water fishes, i.e., perch, shad, mullet, redlip mullet, and goby, of Jinju-man (Bay), Kyongsangnam-do, Korea, were investigated using a digestion technique. Among 45 perch (Lateolabrax japonicus), the metacercariae of Heterophyopsis continua were found in $55.6\%$ (18.5 metacercariae per fish), Stictodora spp. in $28.9\%$ (3.6), and Metagonimus takahashii in $6.7\%$ (17.0). The metacercariae of H. continua were detected in 23 $(65.7\%)$ of 35 shad (Konosirus punctatus). Among 15 mullet (Mugil cephalus), the metacercariae of Pygidiopsis summa were found in $100\%$ (105.9 metacercariae per fish), Heterophyes nocens in $40.0\%$ (8.5), H. continua in $13.3\%$, and Stictodora spp. in $6.7\%$. Among 12 redlip mullet (Chelon haematocheilus), the metacercariae of P. summa were detected in $91.7\%$ (1,299 metacercariae per fish), H. nocens in $16.7\%$, and Stictodora spp. in $16.7\%$. Among 35 gobies (Acanthogobius flavimanus), the metacercariae of Stictodora spp. were found in $82.9\%$ (44.5 metacercariae per fish), and H. continua in $25.7\%$ (2.8). The adult flukes recovered from a cat experimentally infected with metacercariae from perches were compatible with M. takarashii. The results confirm that the estuarine fish in Jinju-man (Bay) are heavily infected with heterophyid metacercariae. Furthermore, it was found for the first time that the perch acts as a second intermediate host for M. takahashii.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.279-287
• /
• 2015

Stray cats are a common feature roaming the streets and alleys of Kuwait; they could be a source of parasites, including trematodes, that affect humans. A survey was conducted to identify feline trematodes and throw the light on their public health significance in Kuwait. Out of 240 stray cats trapped from different localities of Kuwait from June 2011 to May 2012, 59 (24.6%) were found to be infected with 14 species of trematodes. The most common were trematodes of the genus Heterophyes, particularly H. heterophyes and H. dispar that were found in respectively 15.8% and 10.8% of the cats examined. Other trematodes recorded, with lower prevalences, were Heterophyes nocens (2.9%), Haplorchis taichui (3.8%), Stictodora sawakinensis (2.1%), Stellantchasmus falcatus (1.6%), Echinochasmus japonicus (1.6%), and Mesostephanus dottrensi (1.3%). Centrocestus cuspidatus, Galactosomum fregatae, Ascocotyle sp., Mesostephanus appendiculatus, Haplorchis yokogawai, and Pygidiopsis genata showed the lowest prevalence (0.4%) and intensity. The majority of the trematodes are recorded for the first time in Kuwait and even in the Gulf region. The study reveals that stray cats are good indicators of fish-borne trematodes in the environment. As all trematodes recovered are zoonotic, their significance to public health should be considred.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.155-162
• /
• 1998

Two endemic foci of heterophyid infections were discovered in coastal villages of Puan-gun. Chollabuk-do, and Sachon-gun. Kyongsangnam-do, Korea. Fecal examina- tions were performed on 153 inhabitants of Puan-gun and 138 of Sachon-gun, using cellophane thick smear and formalin-ether sedimentation technique. The helminth egg and/or protozoan cyst positive rate was 21.5% (33/153) in Puan-gun and 39.1% (54/138) in Sachon-gun. In Puan-fun, the egg Positive rate of heterophyids was the highest, 17.6%, and that of other parasites was 0.7-2.6% by parasite species. In Sachon-gun, that of heterophyids wa's 18.8%, followed by Clonorchis sinensis (12.3%). and other parasites (0.7-5.OBEI . Twenth-two (Puan-gun) and six (Sachon-gun) heterophyid egg Positive cases were treated loth praziquantel, and adult flukes were collected from their diarrheic stools. A total of 3,284 adult flukes of Heterophyes nocens was collected from all of the 22 patients treated in Puan-gun (3-778 individually) , and other trematodes were also collected from 2- 15 patients; Ftgidiopsis sumac, Stellcntchcsmus JcEcctus, Metogoninus Wokogaupci, M. miyntci, Stictodora Juscnta, Heterophwopsis continua, Acnnthopcrwphium kurognmo, and GWmnophaELoines seoi. In Sachon-gun, M. yokognwci (3,007 specimens), H. nocens (120), aud S. falcatus (46) were collected from 5 of 6 treated patients, and H. continuo and 5. tan each from one patient. The present study revealed that heterophyid flukes, especially If. nocens and M. Wokofowai, are prevalent in the southern and western coastal areas of Korea where fresh and/or brackish water fishes are popularly eaten raw.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.215-220
• /
• 2012

The source of human infection with intestinal flukes was surveyed in estuarine fishes, including the dotted gizzard shad, common sea bass, common blackish goby, redlip mullet, black sea bream, and oyster collected from Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, Korea during August and September 2007. Collected fishes and oysters were artificially digested in pepsin-HCl solution and examined under a stereomicroscope. In 36 shads (Konosirus punctatus) and 20 basses (Lateolabrax japonicus) examined, Heterophyopsis continua metacercariae were found in 58.3% and 100%, and their average numbers were 12.0 and 6.3 per infected fish, respectively. In 34 gobies (Acanthogobius flavimanus) examined, metacercariae of H. continua were detected in 79.4%, Stictodora lari in 97.1%, and Acanthotrema felis in 92.1%, and their average numbers were 45.8, 189.3, and 235.3 per infected fish, respectively. In 37 redlip mullets (Chelon haematocheilus), Heterophyes nocens metacercariae were found in 56.8%, Pygidiopsis summa in 94.6%, and Stictodora fuscata in 45.9%, and the average metacercarial densities were 17.4, 31.3, and 35.1 per infected fish, respectively. In 30 black sea breams (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) and 45 oysters (Crassostrea gigas) examined, no metacercariae were detected. From the above results, it has been confirmed that the dotted gizzard shad, common sea bass, common blackish goby, and redlip mullet from Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, Korea are infected with the metacercariae of heterophyid flukes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.189-191
• /
• 2009

Four feral cats and a raccoon dog purchased from a local collector on Aphaedo Island, Shinan-gun, where human Gymnophalloides seoi infections are known to be prevalent, were examined for their intestinal helminth parasites. From 2 of 4 cats, a total of 310 adult G. seoi specimens were recovered, Other helminths detected in cats included Heterophyes nocens (1,527 specimens), Pygidiopsis summa (131), Stictodora fuscata (4), Acanthotrema felis (2), Spirometra erinacei (15), toxocarids (4), and a hookworm (1). A raccoon dog was found to be infected with a species of echinostome (55), hook-worms (7), toxocarids (3), P. summa (3), and S. erinacei (1). No G. seoi was found in the raccoon dog. The results indicate that feral cats and raccoon dogs on Aphaedo are natural definitive hosts for intestinal trematodes and cestodes, including G. seoi, H. nocens, and S. erinacei, It has been first confirmed that cats, a mammalian species other than humans, play the role of a natural definitive host for G. seoi on Aphaedo Island.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.171-180
• /
• 1984

In order to provide some clues for differential diagnosis of trematode infections in fecal examination, the comparative morphology of eggs of 5 kinds of heterophyid flukes (Metagonimus yokogawai, Heterophyes heterophyes nocens, Heterophyopsis continua, Stellantchasmus falcatus and Pygidiopsis summa) and Clonorchis sinensis was studied. The eggs were obtained from distal portion of uteri of worms which were recovered from men after treatment. The characteristic shape and appearance of each kind of eggs were observed in detail under light microscope, and their length and width measured and compared one another. The results are as follows: 1. Eggs of C. sinensis are elongated ovoidal in shape with attenuated anterior end, 25.3~33. 2 (28. 3 in average) ${\mu}m$ long and 14.2~17.4(5.9) ${\mu}m$ wide with length/width ratio of 1.60~2.00 (1.78). They differ from all heterophyid eggs in that they have prominent wrinkling (muskmelon pattern) at their shell surface. 2. P. summa eggs are ovoid to pyriform in shape and characterized by the smallest size of all kinds examined, 19.8~22.9 (21.6) ${\mu}m$ long and 11.1~13.4 (12.1) ${\mu}m$ wide and the ratio 1.63~1.99 (1.78). 3. Eggs of S. falcatus are elongated ovoidal and most slender form, 25.3~29.2 (27.2) ${\mu}m$ long and 11.1~13.4 (12.5) ${\mu}m$ wide with the ratio of 2.00~2.57 (2.17). 4. Eggs of M. yokogawai are ellipsoid to elliptical in shape with round both ends, 26.9~31.6 (28.5) ${\mu}m$ long and 14.2~18.2 (16.8)${\mu}m$ wide with the ratio of 1.48~2.11 (1.70). 5. H. continua eggs are oval in shape, sometimes similar to M. yokogawai or H. h. nocen$ eggs, however, the relative breadth is broadest among all kinds, with maximum width at posterior half portion. They are 23.7~27.7 (25.0) ${\mu}m$ long, 15.8~18.9 (16.4) ${\mu}m$ wide with the ratio of 1. 33~1.75 (1.53). 6. Eggs of H. h. nocens are ellipsoid to ovoid in shape but sometimes more slender than M. yokogawai and have slightly pointed both ends. They are 23.7~29.2 (25.7) p.m long, 14.2~15.8 (15.4) ${\mu}m$ wide, and the ratio 1.50~2.06 (1.67). From the results, it is concluded that eggs, of 5 kinds of heterophyids and C. sinensis can be morphologically differentiated one another, however, careful observation and measurement on sufficient number of eggs are needed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.87-90
• /
• 1996

The third human case of natural infection by Heterophvopsis continuo in Korea was found in Chinju, Kyongsangnam-do. The case was a 53-year-old mn. He used to eat raw brackish and fresh water fish. After praziquantel treatment and purgation, H. continua were collected from the diarrheal stool together with Metononimw vokognwai, Heterophves nocens and Echinostona hokense. His clinical complaints were indigestion, epigastric discomport, poor appetite and fatigue. The complaints were considered rather due to heavy M. Wokoscwci infection.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.207-213
• /
• 2012

The egg morphology of minute intestinal flukes (MIF) that can occur as human infections in the Republic of Korea, i.e., Metagonimus yokogawai, M. miyatai, M. takahashii, Heterophyes nocens, Heterophyopsis continua, Stellantchasmus falcatus, Stictodora fuscata, Pygidiopsis summa, and Gymnophalloides seoi, was studied in comparison with Clonorchis sinensis. The adult worms were obtained from residents of endemic areas, and their intrauterine eggs were studied and measured using light microscopy; the length, width, length-width ratio (LWR), and Faust-Meleney index (FMI). Several specimens were processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and before gold-coating, the uterine portion of each fluke was etched with a sharp pin in order to expose the eggs. The MIF eggs were ovoid, pyriform, or elliptical with a size range of $21-35{\times}12-21{\mu}m$. S. fuscata eggs revealed the highest FMI (largest in the area) and lowest LWR, whereas P. summa eggs showed the lowest FMI and medium LWR. SEM revealed that G. seoi and S. fuscata had remarkably clean shell surface lacking the muskmelon-like structure which is prominent in C. sinensis eggs. In Metagonimus spp., H. continua, H. nocens, and S. falcatus eggs, minute surface ridges were recognizable though less prominent compared with C. sinensis. On the surface of P. summa eggs, thread-like curly structures were characteristically seen. The results revealed that important differential keys for MIF eggs include the length, width, area (FMI), shape of the eggs, and the extent of the muskmelon-like structure or ridges on their shell surface and operculum.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.307-310
• /
• 2009

Fishborne trematode (FBT) metacercariae were investigated in yellowfin goby, Acanthogobius flavimanus, collected from Shinan-gun and Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do (province), Korea. All collected fishes were examined using the artificial digestion method. In all of 15 gobies from Aphae-myeon in Shinan-gun, metacercariae of Stictodora spp. (334 metacercariae/fish), Heterophyes nocens (153/fish), and Heterophyopsis continua (20/fish) were detected. In 2 of 14 gobies from Jido-myeon in Shinan-gun, 8 Echinostoma hortense metacercariae in total were detected. In 15 gobies from Haeje-myeon in Muan-gun, the metacercariae of H. continua were found in 100%, Stictodora spp. in 86.7%, and H. nocens in 6.7% of fish examined. The average numbers of metacercariae per infected fish were 23.3 (H. continua), 416.0 (Stictodora spp.), and 2.0(H. nocens), respectively. The metacercariae of E. hortense found in gobies were elliptical, with 150 ${\times}$ 138 ${\mu}m$, in average size, and had 27 collar spines on the head crown. The above results suggest that yellowfin gobies from 2 localities may be the potential infection sources of FBT. Moreover, it is proved for the first time that the yellowfin goby, A. flavimanus, acts as a second intermediate host for E. hortense.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.57-61
• /
• 1979

This survey conducted to know the species of helminth parasites of cats slaughtered in Daegu during the period from July to September in 1977. A total of 65 cases of internal organs of cats was used for this examination. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. Six species of trematodes belong to order digenea were found; Clonorchis sinensis (Cobbolt, 1875), Heteropheys heterophyes nocens (Onji et Nisinio, 1915), Metagonismus yokogawai(Katsurada, 1912), Centrocestus sp. Echinochasmus perfoliattlus (Ratz, 1908), and Echinopharyphium sp. 2. Five species except Clonorchis sinens are firstly recorded in cats in Korea.