Although research conducted in East Asia has uncovered parasite eggs from ancient toilets or cesspits, data accumulated to date needs to be supplemented by more archaeoparasitological studies. We examined a total of 21 soil samples from a toilet-like structure at the Hwajisan site, a Baekje-period royal villa, in present-day Korea. At least 4 species of helminth eggs, i.e., Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, Clonorchis sinensis, and Trichuris sp. (or Trichuris vulpis) were detected in 3 sediment samples of the structure that was likely a toilet used by Baekje nobles. The eggs of T. trichiura were found in all 3 samples (no. 1, 4, and 5); and A. lumbricoides eggs were detected in 2 samples (no. 4 and 5). C. sinensis and T. vulpis-like eggs were found in no. 5 sample. From the findings of this study, we can suppose that the soil-transmitted helminths were prevalent in ancient Korean people, including the nobles of Baekje Kingdom during the 5th to 7th century.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Clonorchis sinensis and Cholangiocarcinoma Eun-Min Kim, Sung-Tae Hong Journal of Korean Medical Science.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Problems in Japanese archaeoparasitology: Analysis of paleo-parasitic eggs from Hachinohe Castle Hisashi Fujita, Masako Funaba, Shiori O. Fujisawa Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2025; 63(3): 278. CrossRef
Paleoparasitology research on ancient helminth eggs and larvae in the Republic of Korea Jong-Yil Chai, Min Seo, Dong Hoon Shin Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2023; 61(4): 345. CrossRef
Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to examine archaeoparasitological specimens from coprolites associated with La Cueva de los Muertos Chiquitos (CMC) located near present-day Durango, Mexico. The eggs for 4 different types of parasites recovered from CMC coprolites were imaged using CLSM to assist with identification efforts. While some of the parasite eggs recovered from CMC coprolites were readily identified using standard light microscopy (LM), CLSM provided useful data for more challenging identifications by highlighting subtle morphological features and enhancing visualization of parasite egg anatomy. While other advanced microscopy techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), may also detect cryptic identifying characters, CLSM is less destructive to the specimens. Utilizing CLSM allows for subsequent examinations, such as molecular analyses, that cannot be performed following SEM sample preparation and imaging. Furthermore, CLSM detects intrinsic autofluorescence molecules, making improved identification independent of resource and time-intensive protocols. These aspects of CLSM make it an excellent method for assisting in taxonomic identification and for acquiring more detailed images of archaeoparasitological specimens.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Label-free spectral confocal reflectance microscopy for ex vivo neuroimaging and neural structure visualization Reinher Pimentel-Domínguez, Rainald Pablo Ordaz, Abraham J. Cisneros-Mejorado, Rogelio O. Arellano, Remy Avila Methods.2025; 241: 140. CrossRef
Fluorescence Microscopy with Deep UV, Near UV, and Visible Excitation forIn SituDetection of Microorganisms Noel Case, Nikki Johnston, Jay Nadeau Astrobiology.2024; 24(3): 300. CrossRef
Analytical Techniques for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Frontiers in Knowledge and Application Mina Magdy Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry.2022; 52(6): 1171. CrossRef
Paleomicrobiology of the human digestive tract: A review Riccardo Nodari, Michel Drancourt, Rémi Barbieri Microbial Pathogenesis.2021; 157: 104972. CrossRef
Exploring confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and fluorescence staining as a tool for imaging and quantifying traces of marine microbioerosion and their trace‐making microendoliths Philipp‐Konrad Schätzle, Max Wisshak, Andreas Bick, André Freiwald, Alexander Kieneke Journal of Microscopy.2021; 284(2): 118. CrossRef
Min Jae Kim, Sung-Han Kim, Sang-Oh Lee, Sang-Ho Choi, Yang Soo Kim, Jun Hee Woo, Yong Sik Yoon, Kyung Won Kim, Jaeeun Cho, Jong-Yil Chai, Yong Pil Chong
Korean J Parasitol 2017;55(3):313-317. Published online June 30, 2017
Paragonimiasis is a parasitic disease caused by Paragnonimus species. The primary site of infection is the lung, and extrapulmonary involvement is also reported. When infected with Paragonimus westermani, which is the dominant species in Korea, the central nervous system is frequently involved along with the liver, intestine, peritoneal cavity, retroperitoneum, and abdominal wall. Ectopic paragonimiasis raises diagnostic challenge since it is uncommon and may be confused with malignancy or other inflammatory diseases. Here, we report an ectopic paragonimiasis case initially presented with recurrent abdominal pain. The patient developed abdominal pain 3 times for the previous 3 years and the computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed fluid collection with wall enhancement. Recurrent diverticulitis was initially suspected and part of the ascending colon was resected. However, the specimen showed intact colon wall without evidence of diverticulitis and multiple parasite eggs and granulomas were found instead. The size of about 70 μm, the presence of an operculum and relatively thick egg shell suggested eggs of Paragonimus species. With appropriate exposure history and a positive antibody test, the definitive diagnosis was made as peritoneal paragonimiasis.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
A case report of Paragonimus infection diagnosed by medicine thoracoscopy Xia Wu, Zhengfu Li, Dan Yang, Zhangli Peng, Nana Li, Yuanbo Lan, Ling Chen Infection, Genetics and Evolution.2025; 134: 105791. CrossRef
Intra-abdominal paragonimiasis presenting as abscesses: A case report Haidong Zhang, Mingchun Mu, Xin He, Yuan Yin Asian Journal of Surgery.2023; 46(2): 1004. CrossRef
Crustaceans (shrimp, crab, and lobster): A comprehensive review of their potential health hazards and detection methods to assure their biosafety Mohamed A. Farag, Somaia T. Mansour, Roua A. Nouh, Amira R. Khattab Journal of Food Safety.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Intra-abdominal paragonimiasis abscess: A note on rare recurrent acute abdomen disease Pathum Sookaromdee, Viroj Wiwanitkit Formosan Journal of Surgery.2023; 56(6): 200. CrossRef
A case of paragonimiasis inducing bilateral pneumothorax with lung and liver involvement Ji Sung Ha, Jang Young Lee, Won Young Sung, Sang Won Seo, Won Suk Lee Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals.2022; 30(3): 339. CrossRef
Ectopic peritoneal paragonimiasis mimicking tuberculous peritonitis: A care report Jung Woo Choi, Chang Min Lee, Seong Je Kim, Se In Hah, Ji Yoon Kwak, Hyun Chin Cho, Chang Yoon Ha, Woon Tae Jung, Ok Jae Lee World Journal of Clinical Cases.2022; 10(16): 5359. CrossRef
General overview of the current status of human foodborne trematodiasis Jong-Yil Chai, Bong-Kwang Jung Parasitology.2022; 149(10): 1262. CrossRef
One delayed diagnosis of paragonimiasis case and literature review Luxia Kong, Lijuan Hua, Qian Liu, Chen Bao, Jiannan Hu, Shuyun Xu Respirology Case Reports.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Laparoscopic excision for ectopic peritoneal paragonimiasis mimicking a gastric duplication cyst: A case report Chul Kyu Roh, Min Jung Jung Annals of Medicine and Surgery.2021; 69: 102754. CrossRef
A case of group infections with Paraginimus species in Henan, Central China Wei-qi Chen, Yan Deng, Ya-lan Zhang, Lin Ai, Jia-xu Chen, Xi-meng Lin, Xiao-bo Du, Peng Li, Rui-min Zhou, Cheng-yun Yang, Ying Liu, Hong-wei Zhang, Bian-li Xu, Yu-ling Zhao Acta Tropica.2020; 202: 105111. CrossRef
Paragonimus westermani infection manifesting as a pulmonary cavity and adrenal gland mass: A case report Yong Shik Kwon, Hye Won Lee, Hyun Jung Kim Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy.2019; 25(3): 200. CrossRef
A Paragonimiasis Mimicking Gastric Submucosal Tumor Hyeri Seok, Tae Sung Sohn, Kyong Ran Peck Journal of Korean Medical Science.2019;[Epub] CrossRef
Simultaneous Paragonimus infection involving the breast and lung: A case report Moon Young Oh, Ajung Chu, Jeong Hwan Park, Jong Yoon Lee, Eun Youn Roh, Young Jun Chai, Ki-Tae Hwang World Journal of Clinical Cases.2019; 7(24): 4292. CrossRef
For several years, we have conducted a series of studies on the patterns of ancient parasitism prevailing in the soil of rural and urban areas of past Kingdom of Korea. Actually, during our survey of paleoparasitology in archaeological sites of Korean peninsula, numerous ancient parasite eggs were discovered in the samples from the city districts of Hansung (Joseon) and Buyeo (Baikje), the palace moat at Gyeongju (Silla), shell-midden site at Bonghwang-dong (Silla to Joseon), and the reservoir found in Hwawangsansung fortress (Silla). By the paleoparasitological studies, with respect to parasitism in the high-density populations of ancient towns and cities, we have managed to catch glimpses of the patterns prevalent therein: a serious parasitic contamination of the soil in ancient urban areas, but not in rural areas of the past. Our historical research also proposed the plausible mechanism of parasite infection very serious indeed among urban populations in Korean history. Although city dwelling doubtless has accrued significant benefits for people and populations with agriculture, it can be equally supposed that living in such highly populated areas might have facilitated the spread of parasite infection.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Ancient parasite analysis: Exploring infectious diseases in past societies Piers D. Mitchell Journal of Archaeological Science.2024; 170: 106067. CrossRef
A parasitological study on the possible toilet ruins of the Japanese colonial period in Korea Jieun Kim, Min Seo, Hisashi Fujita, Jong Yil Chai, Jin Woo Park, Jun Won Jang, In Soo Jang, Dong Hoon Shin Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2023; 61(2): 198. CrossRef
Paleoparasitology research on ancient helminth eggs and larvae in the Republic of Korea Jong-Yil Chai, Min Seo, Dong Hoon Shin Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2023; 61(4): 345. CrossRef
Presence of Parasite Remains in Historical Contexts in the City of Córdoba, Argentina, in the Nineteenth Century Darío Alejandro Ramirez, Henrik Bernhard Lindskoug, Rodrigo Nores Latin American Antiquity.2022; 33(2): 395. CrossRef
Ancient Echinostome Eggs Discovered in Archaeological Strata Specimens from a Baekje Capital Ruins of South Korea Min Seo, Sang-Yuck Shim, Hwa Young Lee, Yongjun Kim, Jong Ha Hong, Ji Eun Kim, Jong-Yil Chai, Dong Hoon Shin Journal of Parasitology.2020; 106(1): 184. CrossRef
Beyond diversity loss and climate change: Impacts of Amazon deforestation on infectious diseases and public health JOEL HENRIQUE ELLWANGER, BRUNA KULMANN-LEAL, VALÉRIA L. KAMINSKI, JACQUELINE MARÍA VALVERDE-VILLEGAS, ANA BEATRIZ G. DA VEIGA, FERNANDO R. SPILKI, PHILIP M. FEARNSIDE, LÍLIAN CAESAR, LEANDRO LUIZ GIATTI, GABRIEL L. WALLAU, SABRINA E.M. ALMEIDA, MAURO R. B Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
Review of Successful Control of Parasitic Infections in Korea Sung-Tae Hong, Tai-Soon Yong Infection & Chemotherapy.2020; 52(3): 427. CrossRef
Ancient Soil-Transmitted Parasite Eggs Detected from the Sixth Century Three Kingdom Period Silla Tomb Min Seo, Chang Seok Oh, Jong Ha Hong, Jong-Yil Chai, Jin Og Ju, Dong Hoon Shin Journal of Korean Medical Science.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Archaeoparasitological Strategy Based on the Microscopic Examinations of Prehistoric Samples and the Recent Report on the Difference in the Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminthic Infections in the Indian Subcontinent Dong Hoon Shin, Yong Jun Kim, Ravindra Singh Bisht, Vivek Dangi, Prabodh Shirvalkar, Nilesh Jadhav, Chang Seok Oh, Jong Ha Hong, Jong Yil Chai, Min Seo, Vasant Shinde Ancient Asia.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
Discovery of Parasite Eggs in Archeological Residence during the 15th Century in Seoul, Korea Pyo Yeon Cho, Jung-Min Park, Myeong-Ki Hwang, Seo Hye Park, Yun-Kyu Park, Bo-Young Jeon, Tong-Soo Kim, Hyeong-Woo Lee The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2017; 55(3): 357. CrossRef
Historical Details about the Meat Consumption and Taeniases in Joseon Period of Korea Dong Hoon Shin, Jong-Yil Chai, Jong Ha Hong, Min Seo The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2017; 55(4): 457. CrossRef
First
Prev
