Rare Case of Echinostoma cinetorchis Infection, South Korea.

A woman in South Korea who underwent a colonoscopy for occasional gastrointestinal discomfort had 4 adult flukes of Echinostoma cinetorchis showing 37 collar spines around the oral sucker recovered from the terminal ileum through the ascending colon. Partial gene sequencing showed high identity with E. cinetorchis.

Development of the head collar and collar spines during the larval stages of Isthmiophora hortensis (Digenea: Echinostomatidae).

It is uncertain when the head collar and collar spines of Isthmiophora hortensis (Digenea: Echinostomatidae), a zoonotic echinostome species in Far Eastern Asia, develop during its larval stages. In this study, the appearance of the head collar and collar spines was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy in cercariae and metacercariae experimentally obtained from freshwater snails (Lymnaea pervia) and tadpoles (Rana nigromaculata), respectively. The cercariae were shed from the snail on day 30 after exposure to laboratory-hatched miracidia.

Morphological and molecular characteristics of Paralecithodendrium longiforme (Digenea: Lecithodendriidae) adults and cercariae from Chinese pipistrelle bats and viviparid snails in Thailand.

This study aimed to describe the morphological and molecular characteristics of Paralecithodendrium longiforme (Digenea: Lecithodendriidae) adults and cercariae isolated in Thailand. Adult flukes were isolated from the Chinese pipistrelle bat (Hypsugo sp.), and cercariae were detected in the viviparid snail (Filopaludina martensi martensi) from Chiang Mai province.

High Prevalence of Echinostoma mekongi Infection in Schoolchildren and Adults, Kandal Province, Cambodia.

A high prevalence of Echinostoma mekongi infection (13.9%; 260/1,876) was found among schoolchildren and adults in Kandal Province, Cambodia, by fecal examination, worm expulsion, and molecular analysis of cox1 and nd1 genes. The source of infection was consumption of Pila sp.

Paleoparasitology research on ancient helminth eggs and larvae in the Republic of Korea.

Paleoparasitology is a discipline that applies existing conventional and molecular techniques to study parasites found in ancient ruins. This review focuses on the history of the discovery of parasites (mostly helminth eggs and larvae) in archaeological soil samples and mummies in Korea from the Three Kingdoms Period to the Joseon Dynasty (100 BCE-1910 CE). We also briefly review important milestones in global paleoparasitology.

Standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris trichiura in the feces of schoolchildren in the Yangon Region, Myanmar: Morphological and molecular analyses.

Standard- and large-sized eggs of Trichuris trichiura were found in the feces of schoolchildren in Yangon, Myanmar during epidemiological surveys and mass deworming with albendazole in 2017-2019. The standard-sized eggs were identified as those of T. trichiura, but it was necessary to exclude the possibility of the large-sized eggs belonging to Trichuris vulpis, a dog whipworm.

Gut microbiota differences induced by Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity in stray cats in South Korea.

T. gondii is a highly prevalent parasite worldwide, with cats serving as its final host. However, few studies have investigated the impact of T.

A parasitological study on the possible toilet ruins of the Japanese colonial period in Korea.

In the past decade, experts have conducted parasitological research on archaeological specimens in Korea to collect historical parasite infection data. In these studies, parasitologists successfully described the infection pattern of each parasite species in history. However, in the first half of the 20th century, archaeoparasitological reports have been scant.

Trematode metacercariae and adults in cyprinoid fish from Khun Thale Swamp in Surat Thani province, Thailand.

The present study aimed to determine the infection status of trematode metacercariae and adults in cyprinoid fish from the Khun Thale Swamp in Surat Thani, Southern Thailand, with epidemiologic and faunistic viewpoints. In 2020, 577 fish in 15 species were collected in the summer (February-April) and rainy (September-November) seasons. Fish were individually examined for trematode metacercariae in the whole body and adults in the gastrointestinal tract using a stereomicroscope.

Updates on parasite infection prevalence in the Joseon period based on parasitological studies of human coprolites isolated from archaeological sites in the cities of Euijeongbu, Gumi, and Wonju.

Parasite infection rates estimated by examining ancient coprolites can provide insights into parasitism in Joseon society. Using newly discovered Joseon period cases is essential to regularly update the parasite infection rates and reinforce the reliability of our previous estimations. In the present study, we investigated parasite infections in Joseon coprolites newly isolated from the cities of Euijeongbu, Gumi, and Wonju.

Prevalence of head louse infestation among primary schoolchildren in the Republic of Korea: nationwide observation of trends in 2011-2019.

Head louse infestation is a significant public health problem across the world, particularly among preschool and primary schoolchildren. This study investigated the trends of head louse infestation in the Republic of Korea over a 9-year period (2011-2019), targeting primary schoolchildren in 3 areas of Seoul, 4 other large cities, and 9 provinces. A survey was administered annually by the health staff of each regional office (n= 16) of the Korea Association of Health Promotion (KAHP).

The spatial-temporal risk profiling of infection over 50 years implies the effectiveness of control programs in South Korea: a geostatistical modeling study.

Background: Over the past 50 years, two national control programs on infection have been conducted in South Korea. Spatial-temporal profiles of infection risk provide useful information on assessing the effectiveness of the programs and planning spatial-targeted control strategies.

Methods: Advanced Bayesian geostatistical joint models with spatial-temporal random effects were developed to analyze disease data collecting by a systematic review with potential influencing factors, and to handle issues of preferential sampling and data heterogeneities.

Molecular Detection of Haplorchis pumilio Eggs in Schoolchildren, Kome Island, Lake Victoria, Tanzania.

A survey of intestinal helminths targeting 1,440 schoolchildren in 12 primary schools on Kome Island (Lake Victoria), Tanzania, revealed small trematode eggs in 19 children (1.3%), seemingly of a species of Haplorchis or Heterophyes. The eggs were molecularly confirmed to be Haplorchis pumilio on the basis of 18S and 28S rDNA sequences.

The notable global heterogeneity in the distribution of COVID-19 cases and the association with pre-existing parasitic diseases.

Background: The coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease that has caused extensive ravages worldwide since being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Unlike initially predicted by WHO, the incidence and severity of COVID-19 appeared milder in many Low-to-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). To explain this noticeable disparity between countries, many hypotheses, including socio-demographic and geographic factors, have been put forward.

Exosomal miRNA-21 from Toxoplasma gondii-infected microglial cells induces the growth of U87 glioma cells by inhibiting tumor suppressor genes.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that can modulate the microenvironment of infected hosts and is known to be associated with the incidence of brain tumor growth. In this study, we suggested that the exosomal microRNA-21 derived from Toxoplasma infection would contribute to the growth of brain tumors. Exosomes of BV2 microglial cells infected with Toxoplasma were characterized and confirmed internalization to U87 glioma cells.

Molecular Diagnosis of Pseudoterranova decipiens Sensu Stricto Infections, South Korea, 2002‒2020.

Human Pseudoterranova decipiens larval infections were diagnosed by molecular analysis of mitochondrial cox1 and nd1 genes in 12 health check-up patients in South Korea during 2002-2020. Based on high genetic identity (99.3%-100% for cox1 and 96.

General overview of the current status of human foodborne trematodiasis.

Foodborne trematodes (FBT) of public health significance include liver flukes ( and ), lung flukes ( and several other spp.) and intestinal flukes, which include heterophyids ( and ), echinostomes ( and ) and miscellaneous species, including and . These trematode infections are distributed worldwide but occur most commonly in Asia.

Failure of Repeated MDA with Albendazole for Trichuriasis Control in Schoolchildren of the Yangon Region, Myanmar.

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are still a considerable challenge in Myanmar. We undertook a control program for STH infections (especially Trichuris trichiura) among schoolchildren in Myanmar using mass drug administration (MDA) and health education. Around 1,700 schoolchildren from 15 primary schools in 3 suburban districts (Shwe Pyi Thar, Twantay, and Kyauktan) of the Yangon Region were subjected in this study during 2017-2019.

Ancient DNA of Metagonimus yokogawai Recovered from Joseon Period Human Remains Newly Discovered at Goryeong County in South Korea.

Purpose: Metagonimiasis, commonly seen in East Asian countries, is a parasitic disorder caused by definitive hosts' ingestion of undercooked freshwater fishes. Recently, genetic analysis has proved 28S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA gene to be a successful marker differentiating species of the genus Metagonimus. In the present study, using specimens from the newly discovered Joseon Dynasty human remains of Goryeong, we obtained updated genetic data on genus Metagonimus, which was also prevalent during the Joseon period.

Enterobius vermicularis Infection among Preschool Children: A 12-Year (2008-2019) Survey in Large Cities and Provinces of the Republic of Korea.

A 12-year nationwide survey (2008-2019) was performed to investigate the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection among preschool children in Seoul, 4 large cites (Busan, Incheon, Daegu, and Ulsan), and 9 provinces (grouped into 5 localities) in the Republic of Korea (=Korea). The survey was carried out once a year by 16 regional offices of the Korea Association of Health Promotion. The cello-tape perianal swab method (1 smear per child) was applied to detect eggs of E.