Epidemiological study of clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis along the Geum-gang (River) in Okcheon-gun (County), Korea

Abstract

The endemic status of clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis along the Geum-gang (River) in Okcheon-gun (County) in Korea was examined. From February toDecember 2000, stools of total 1,081 inhabitants living in 5 villages were examined. Eachstool specimen was examined by both the cellophane thick smear method and theformalin-ether sedimentation technique. Egg-positive cases were further analyzed byStolls egg-counting technique, and praziquantel was administered to positive cases. Theegg-positive rates for Clonorchis sinensis and Metagonimus species were 9.3% and 5.5%,respectively, and the double infection rate was 3.5%. The numbers of eggs per gram (EPG)of feces of C. sinensis and Metagonimus sp. were 9181,463 and 711947, respectively.The egg-positive rates for C. sinensis and Metagonimus sp. in the riverside area were14.2% and 8.4%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the inlandarea (3.2% and 1.7%, respectively). The egg-positive rates of C. sinensis and Metagonimussp. in males (16.7% and 10.0%) were significantly higher than those of females (3.5% and1.8%). However, there were no significant differences of EPG values between localities andsexes. The prevalence of clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis in this survey was significantlylower than that in the previous reports. However, there is still a high prevalence ofinfection with C. sinensis and Metagonimus sp. in this region, especially in the riverside area.