Analysis of 205 Cases of Parasite Infection Confirmed in Clinical Specimens

Song, Hyun Ouk; Ahn, Myoung Hee; Choi, Han Kyu; Ryu, Jae Sook; Min, Duk Young; Ree, Han Il

Abstract

BACKGROUND: We analysed 205 cases of parasitic infection that were confirmed at Dept. of Parasitology, Hanyang University, College of Medicine from January 1986 to December 2003.
METHODS
Parasitic worms were observed on gross examination or light microscope after treatment with lactophenol. Stool was examined with formalin-ether method for detection of eggs or protozoal cysts and scotch tape method was used for E. vermicularis eggs. In case of S. stercoralis, stool sample was incubated at 26degrees C for 48 to 72 h to confirm filariform larvae. Commercial ELISA kit for T. canis and ELISA test with hydatid cystic fluid from a patient were evaluated. Tissues were stained H&E after 10% formalin fixation and observed under the light microscope.
RESULTS
There were detected 31 species of parasite among 205 specimens. Nematodes of 84 cases (41.5%), Anisakis sp., P. decipiens, E. vermicularis and T. callipaeda, visceral larva migrans, T. trichiura, A. lumbricoides, S. stercoralis, cutaneous larva migrans, Mammomonogamus sp. were observed. Cestodes of 41 cases (21.0%), D. latum, sparganum, T. saginata, cysticercus cellulosae, hydatid cyst and trematodes of 34 cases (16.6%), C. sinensis, M. yokogawai, P. westermani and N. seoulense were noted. Protozoa of 34 cases (16.6%), E. histolytica, E. dispar, T. vaginalis, Plasmodium sp. G. lamblia, E. coli, E. nana, P. carinii and arthropoda of 11 cases (5.4%), I. nipponensis, P. pubis, T. floricolum and Culex sp. larva were classified.
CONCLUSIONS
Food-borne parasitic infections were distinctly noted in this analysis. And raw food or water are important as a source of parasitic infection in the future.