A survey of intestinal protozoan infections among gastroenteritis patients during a 3-year period (2004-2006) in Gyeonggi-do (province), South Korea.
The incidence and etiology of parasite-associated gastroenteritis during 2004-2006 in Gyeonggi-do (province), South Korea was determined by means of antigen detection ELISA on 6,071 stool specimens collected from 6 general hospitals. At least 1 parasitic agent was detected in 3.4% (208/6,071) of the stool samples. Among these, Giardia lamblia was the most numerous (152 cases; 2.5%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica (25 cases; 0.4%), Cryptosporidium parvum (23 cases; 0.4%), and mixed infections (8 cases; 0.1%). Patients aged 1-5 years had the largest proportion (69.2%; 144/208) of parasite-positive stool specimens. Parasite-mediated gastroenteritis was most common from June to September. The detection rate gradually increased from 2004 to 2006. This study shows that parasite-mediated gastroenteritis may be significant among children in Korea and that parasite infection surveillance should be constantly performed.
Huh
Jeong-Weon
JW
Gyeonggido Institute of Health and Environment, Suwon, Korea.
Moon
Su-Gyeong
SG
Lim
Young-Hee
YH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D055815:Young Adult