Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

"Jeollanam-do"

Brief Communication

Three-year survey of Enterobius vermicularis infection among preschool children in Jeollanam-do, Korea (2023–2025): Ji-Yoon Jeon, Yeon-Ju Lee, Hye-Rin Kim, Hye-Lin Yang, Yun-Ji Park, Hye-Jin Kim, Tae-Man Ha, Jin-Yeong Kim, Gwi-Nim Park, Sook Park, Yang-Joon An, Yeongjin Hong; Received January 14, 2026 Accepted April 1, 2026 Published online June 19, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3347/PHD.26006 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract
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The purpose of this study was to ascertain the status and patterns of pinworm Enterobius vermicularis infection among preschool children in Jeollanam-do from 2023 to 2025. Further, it aimed to assess changes in infection rates during the implementation of the test-and-treatment strategy. Cellophane tape swabs were collected from 12,608 children aged 0–6 years enrolled in daycare or kindergarten facilities in 8 cities and counties of Jeollanam-do. The samples were examined under a light microscope to diagnose pinworm infection. The overall infection rate over the 3-year period was 0.22% (28/12,608). The annual infection rate declined continuously from 0.35% in 2023 to 0.06% in 2025 (trend P<0.05). The infection rate did not vary significantly with sex (P>0.05), but was significantly higher in the 4–6 year age group (P<0.05), and was highest in Jangheung-gun (0.65%) and Goheung-gun (0.37%). The overall infection rate in this study was substantially lower than previously reported. However, this may represent a transient phenomenon reflecting environmental or behavioral factors associated with this specific period. Therefore, continuous monitoring is necessary.

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Original Article

A new endemic focus of Gymnophalloides seoi infection on Aphae Island, Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do: Jae-Hwan Park, Sang-Mee Guk, Eun-Hee Shin, Hyo-Jin Kim, Jae-Lip Kim, Min Seo, Yun-Kyu Park, Jong-Yil Chai; Korean J Parasitol 2007;45(1):39-44.
Published online March 20, 2007; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2007.45.1.39

Abstract
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A new endemic focus of Gymnophalloides seoi infection has been discovered on Aphae Island (Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do), Republic of Korea. This area, which is referred to as Bokyong-ri, is a small seashore village located in the northern portion of the island. Fecal samples were collected from a total of 57 residents and examined by the Kato-Katz and formalin-ether sedimentation techniques. Helminth eggs were detected in 37 samples (64.9%); 33 samples were positive for G. seoi eggs (57.9%), 4 for Pygidiopsis summa (7.0%), 13 for other heterophyids (22.8%), 1 for Clonorchis sinensis (1.7%), and 1 for Trichuris trichiura (1.7%). Women (70.4%) revealed higher rates of G. seoi infection than did men (46.7%), and individuals older than 50 years of age also evidenced higher rates of G. seoi infection than in other age groups (P< 0.05). In worm collection from 13 G. seoi egg positive cases, G. seoi (total 86,558 specimens), Heterophyes nocens (278), Stictodora sp. (10), Heterophyopsis continua (3), P. summa (3), and unidentified flukes (42) were collected. Oysters, the source of G. seoi infection, were collected from an area proximal to the village and 50 were examined for metacercariae; 47 (94%) were found infected and the observed metacercarial density was 9.5 ± 8.9 per oyster. The results of this study indicate that Bokyong-ri is a new endemic area of G. seoi infection, with high rates of infection in humans and oysters.

Citations

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Survey of Gymnophalloides seoi Metacercariae in Natural and Cultured Oysters from Several Western Coastal Areas, Korea
Taehee Chang, Bong-Kwang Jung, Hyemi Song, Jaeeun Cho, Sooji Hong, Keon-Hoon Lee, Eui-Hyug Hoang, Jisu Kang, Jini Lim, Hana Lee, Jong-Yil Chai
The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2019; 57(6): 705. CrossRef
Pygidiopsis summa (Digenea: Heterophyidae): Status of Metacercarial Infection in Mullets from Coastal Areas in the Republic of Korea
Woon-Mok Sohn, Byoung-Kuk Na, Shin-Hyeong Cho, Won-Ja Lee, Mi-Yeoun Park, Soon-Won Lee, Seung-Bong Choi, Beom-Nyung Huh, Won-Seok Seok
The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2016; 54(4): 497. CrossRef
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Gab-Man Park
The Korean Journal of Malacology.2012; 28(1): 13. CrossRef
Emerging Parasitic Diseases in Korea
Jong-Yil Chai
Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2007; 50(11): 946. CrossRef

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Brief Communication

A survey of cryptosporidiosis among 2,541 residents of 25 coastal islands in Jeollanam-do (Province), Republic of Korea: Jae-Hwan Park, Hyo-Jin Kim, Sang-Mee Guk, Eun-Hee Shin, Jae-Lip Kim, Han-Jong Rim, Soon-Hyung Lee, Jong-Yil Chai; Korean J Parasitol 2006;44(4):367-372.
Published online December 20, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2006.44.4.367

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In order to determine the distribution and prevalence of human cryptosporidiosis on western and southern coastal islands of Jeollanam-do (Province), fecal samples were collected from 2,541 people residing on 25 islands, 13 in the western coasts and 12 in the southern coasts, during July and August 2000. Fecal smears were prepared following formalin-ether sedimentation of the samples and stained by a modified acid-fast procedure. The presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts was determined by light microscopy. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 38 specimens (1.5%). The oocyst positive rate varied (0-6.0%) according to island; the highest was detected on Oenarodo (6.0%), followed by Naenarodo (5.6%) and Nakwoldo (5.4%). The majority (35 persons, 94.6%) of Cryptosporidium-infected individuals were older than 50 years of age. Men (22/1,159; 1.9%) were infected at a higher rate than women (16/1,382; 1.2%). The results of the present survey indicate that human Cryptosporidium infections (due to Cryptosporidium hominis and/or C. parvum) are maintained at a relatively low prevalence on coastal islands of Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea.

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