J Korean Med Sci.
2018 Oct;33(44):e273. 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e273.
Human Sparganosis in Korea
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Molecular Parasitology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. kongy@skku.edu
- 2Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Science, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
- 3Tropical Diseases Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
- KMID: 2423020
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e273
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
Sparganosis is a larval cestodiasis caused by the plerocercoid of Spirometra spp. Since the first description of human sparganosis in 1924, several hundred cases have been reported in Korea. However, systematic approaches for literature surveys of Korean sparganosis have seldom appeared.
METHODS
We searched publicly available databases such as PubMed, Research Information Sharing Service, and Korea Medical Citation Index with relevant Medical Subject Headings.
RESULTS
At least 438 Korean sparganosis cases have been described from 1924 to 2015. Preoperative diagnosis has been significantly increased since the 1980s due to popularization of serological and imaging diagnostics. Cases were largely detected from fifth decades in general, but cerebral sparganosis was detected in relatively young age groups (third and fourth decades). Sparganosis was prevalent in men (75.9%). Consumption of frog/snake and drinking unfiltered water were found in 63.4% and 16.9% of patients, respectively. Most frequently affected sites were subcutaneous tissues (49.9%), followed by the central nervous system (36.2%). Involvements of visceral organs (7.6%), ocular regions (3.6%), and muscles (2.7%) were noticed. In women, breast sparganosis constituted a large proportion (34.2%). Sparganosis associated with immunocompromised patients has recently been reported.
CONCLUSION
Sparganosis has been continuously reported in Korea during the past 90 years, although its incidence has decreased during the last 20 years. The disease is mostly characterized by subcutaneous nodule, but infection of the worm in vital organs often results in serious illness. Continuous awareness is warranted to monitor sparganosis occurrence and associated clinical consequences.
