A Survey of Intestinal Protozoan Infections among Gastroenteritis Patients during a 3-Year Period (2004-2006) in Gyeonggi-do (Province), South Korea |
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Authors: | Jeong-Weon Huh Su-Gyeong Moon and Young-Hee Lim |
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Institution: | 1Gyeonggido Institute of Health and Environment, Suwon 404-290, Korea.;2Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul 136-703, Korea. |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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Keywords: | Giardia lamblia Entamoeba histolytica Cryptosporidium parvum gastroenteritis epidemiology antigen detection ELISA |
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