Three Echinostome Species from Wild Birds in the Republic of Korea

Three echinostome species, i.e., Patagifer bilobus, Petasiger neocomense, and Saakotrema metatestis, are newly recorded in the trematode fauna of the Republic of Korea. They were recovered from 3 species of migratory birds (Platalea minor, Podiceps cristatus, and Egretta garzetta), which were donated by the Wildlife Center of Chungbuk (WCC) and the Conservation Genome Resource Bank for Korean Wildlife (CGRB). Only 1 P. bilobus specimen was recovered from the intestine of a black-faced spoonbill (P. minor), and characterized by the bilobed head crown with a deep dorsal incision and 54 collar spines. Twenty P. neocomense were recovered from the intestine of a great crested grebe (P. cristatus), and they had a well-developed head crown with 19 spines and 2 testes obliquely located at the posterior middle of the body. Total 70 S. metatestis were collected from the bursa of Fabricius of 1 little egret (E. garzetta). It is characterized by stout tegumental spines covered in the entire leaf-shaped body, posterior extension of the uterus, presence of the uroproct and a well-developed head crown with 12 pairs of collar spines on each side. By the present study, these 3 echinostome species are newly added to the trematode fauna in Korea.

Studies on Echinostoma ilocanum in the Philippines.

Echinostoma ilocanum is widespread among the Philippine Islands but only 3% of over 30,000 stools were found to be positive for eggs. The prevalence rates were highest in Ilocana populations of northern Luzon; 11% of over 7,000 stools examined, however, rates as high as 44% were found. Pila luzonica is eaten uncooked by some people and metacercariae from these snails developed into adults in a number of laboratory animals. Rats, mice and hamsters were the most susceptible with patent infections developing as early as 7 days and lasting for 328 days. There seems to be little disease in humans and animals infected with this parasite.