title: Seroprevalence of Plasmodium vivax in the Republic of Korea (2003-2005) using indirect fluorescent antibody test.
abstract: Plasmodium vivax reemerged in the Republic of Korea (ROK) in 1993, and is likely to continue to affect public health. The purpose of this study was to measure levels of anti-P. vivax antibodies using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) in border areas of ROK, to determine the seroprevalence of malaria (2003-2005) and to plan effective control strategies. Blood samples of the inhabitants in Gimpo-si, Paju-si, and Yeoncheon-gun (Gyeonggi-do), and Cheorwon-gun (Gangwon-do) were collected and kept in Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). Out of a total of 1,774 serum samples tested, the overall seropositivity was 0.94% (n=17). The seropositivity was the highest in Paju-si (1.9%, 7/372), followed by Gimpo-si (1.4%, 6/425), Yeoncheon-gun (0.67%, 3/451), and Cheorwon-gun (0.19%, 1/526). The annual parasite incidence (API) in these areas gradually decreased from 2003 to 2005 (1.69, 1.09, and 0.80 in 2003, 2004, and 2005, respectively). The highest API was found in Yeoncheon-gun, followed by Cheorwon-gun, Paju-si, and Gimpo-si. The API ranking in these areas did not change over the 3 years. The seropositivity of Gimpo-si showed a strong linear relationship with the API of 2005 (r=0.9983, P=0.036). Seropositivity data obtained using IFAT may be useful for understanding malaria prevalence of relevant years, predicting future transmission of malaria, and for establishing and evaluating malaria control programs in affected areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon 405-751, Korea.
authors.forename: Tong-Soo
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, Jungwon University, Goesan, Chungbuk 367-805, Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon-Joong
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Division of Malaria and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Health, Osong 363-951, Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Ja
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 660-751, Korea.
authors.forename: Byoung-Kuk
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Na
authors.affiliation: Department of International Medicine, Seoul National University, Bundang Hospital, Seongnam 463-707, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Ung
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Technology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 400-712, Korea.
authors.forename: Seok Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 400-712, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-Keun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon 405-751, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Kyu
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Asan Institute for Life Sciences, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea.
authors.forename: Jhang-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Pak
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon 405-751, Korea.
authors.forename: Pyo Yun
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Institute of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Youngjoo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
authors.forename: Hyeong-Woo
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010966:Plasmodium vivax / Q000276:immunology*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan
keywords: Plasmodium vivax; annual parasite incidence; indirect fluorescent antibody test; malaria; seropositivity