Korean J Parasitol.  2007 Jun;45(2):139-144. 10.3347/kjp.2007.45.2.139.

Tissue parasitic helminthiases are prevalent at Cheongjin, North Korea

• Shen C
• Li S
• Zheng S
• Choi MH
• Bae YM
• Hong ST

• KMID: 1720539
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2007.45.2.139

Abstract

We investigated a small-scale serological survey to screen tissue-parasitic helminthiases of North Koreans as one of research programs for re-unification of Korea. Soil-transmitted helminthiases were found highly prevalent among North Korean residents at the border with China. ELISA using 4 tissue-parasitic helminth antigens was applied to 137 residents living in Cheongjin-shi, Hamgyeongbuk-do, North Korea and 133 female refugees in South Korea in 2004-2005. Among a total of 270 samples, 31 (11.5%), 25 (9.3%), and 11 (4.1%) were positive for specific IgG antibodies to antigens of Clonorchis sinensis, Taenia solium metacestode, and sparganum, respectively. The overall positive rate was 21.5%; 38.2% in males and 15.8% in females. The present finding suggests that tissue parasites, such as C. sinensis, T. solium metacestode and sparganum are highly prevalent in some limited areas of North Korea. These foodborne tissue-parasitic helminthiases should be considered for future control measures of parasitic diseases in North Korea.

Keyword

North Korea; ELISA; clonorchiasis; cysticercosis; sparganosis

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Animals
Antibodies, Helminth/blood
Antigens, Helminth/blood
Child
Child, Preschool
Clonorchis sinensis/isolation & purification
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Female
Helminthiasis/*epidemiology/*parasitology
Humans
Immunoglobulin G/blood
Korea/epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Sparganum/isolation & purification
Taenia solium/isolation & purification