Examination for helminth eggs and protozoan cysts in fecal samples from healthy Korean adults, 2000~2006 / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Contemporary clinicians have very little understanding of the importance of preventing parasitic disease. This aim of this study was to estimate trends in intestinal parasitic disease via stool examination in healthy Korean adults. METHODS: We reviewed stool examination results to detect any intestinal parasite infections in newly examined healthy patients at the Health Promotion Center of Samsung Medical Center from 2000 to 2006. RESULTS: The rates of overall intestinal parasite infection showed substantial growth from 2000 to 2006: 2.51%, 2.63%, 3.56%, 4.04%, 4.48%, 3.94%, and 4.45% (p<0.001) for 2000 to 2006, respectively. Rates of infection with helminthic eggs (five species) increased from 0.80% in 2000 to 1.50% in 2006 (p<0.001). This trend corresponds to the positive rate of Clonorchis sinensis helminthes (0.45% to 1.43%; p<0.001). Total protozoan cysts infection (four species) also increased (from 1.96% to 2.99%, p<0.001), especially with infection of Endolimax nana (1.15% to 2.23%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of intestinal parasite infection have increased over the last seven years, especially with C. sinensis and E. nana. These results demonstrate that Korean doctors should pay more attention to the diagnosis and treatment of parasite infections to further patient education and prevent parasitic infections.