Ann Clin Microbiol.  2024 Jun;27(2):41-48. 10.5145/ACM.2024.27.2.2.

Intestinal helminth infections among health examinees: 10-year (2011–2020) nationwide observations in Korea

• Shin H
• Hong S
• Lee YH
• Kim YS
• Joo YJ
• Lee EH
• Kim I
• Chai JY
• Jung BK

• KMID: 2557877
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5145/ACM.2024.27.2.2

Abstract

Background
A nationwide anti-parasite control program (1969–1995) successfully reduced soil-transmitted helminth infections; however, fish-borne trematode infections persisted in some areas. Since the 2012 National Parasite Infection Survey, information on the current status of intestinal helminth infections has not been updated. Analysis of the current trends in intestinal helminth infections is necessary to prevent and manage parasitic diseases in Korea.
Methods
This retrospective study analyzed the prevalence of intestinal parasites in 1,211,799 individuals who visited 16 regional branches of the Korea Association of Health Promotion between 2011 and 2020. Examinations were performed using microscopy and Kato's method. The results were analyzed according to parasite species, year, sex, age, and region of origin.
Results
Intestinal helminth infections remained above 2.0% from 2011 to 2014 but decreased to 1.0% by 2020. Clonorchis sinensis had the highest infection rate (1.3%), followed by Metagonimus yokogawai (0.3%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.2%). Men had a higher infection rate (2.4%) than that of women (1.2%). The infection rate was higher among those in their 50s (2.0%), 60s, and older (1.8%). The highest regional infection rates were observed in Gyeongnam (4.8%), Ulsan (3.1%), Gyeongbuk (2.5%), Busan (1.8%), and Jeonnam (1.6%).
Conclusion
These results provide valuable insights into the decreasing prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of intestinal helminth infections in the Korean population. Therefore, various control measures are needed to prevent intestinal helminth infections, and continuous monitoring is essential until they are eradicated.

Keyword

Intestinal helminths; Examinees; Prevalence; Nationwide; Korea

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Characteristics of intestinal helminth infections among examinees in Korea over a 10-year period. (A) Overall prevalence of parasite infections by species of intestinal helminth. (B, C) Prevalence by sex and age. Significant differences were observed in prevalence by species and age (P< 0.05) and in the differential prevalence between men and women throughout all periods (P< 0.05).

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  Fig. 2. Geographic variation in the overall prevalence of intestinal helminth infections among examinees from 2011 to 2020 in Korea. Gyeongnam (4.8%), Ulsan (3.1%), and Gyeongbuk (2.5%) exhibited a high mean prevalence.

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