Fish-borne Parasitic Diseases / 한양의대학술지

ABSTRACT

Parasites transmitted by fish (=fish-borne parasites) and the diseases caused by them are briefly reviewed. The fish-borne parasites known to occur in the Republic of Korea are taxonomically classified as 23 helminth species, which include 5 species of nematodes, 16 species of trematodes, and 2 species of cestodes. Among them, Anisakis simplex, Clonorchis sinensis, Metagonimus yokogawai, Heterophyes nocens, Echinostoma hortense, and Diphyllobothrium latum are the most important species in public health points of view. The kinds of fish responsible for human infections include various species of fresh water fish, brackish water fish, and marine fish. Pathogenicity and clinical manifestations are variable according to different parasite species and immune status of the host. For prevention of these infections, avoidance of consuming raw or improperly cooked fish is important.