Review of enterobiasis in Taiwan and offshore islands

From 1995 to 1997, we carried out extensive surveys of Enterobius vermicularis infection among school children in Taiwan and offshore islands. Among 6,315 children at 80 schools in 21 towns and districts of 8 counties tested, an overall infection rate was 11%. The pre-school children had the highest rate of 14%. These findings indicate that pinworm infection remains highly prevalent in Taiwan and offshore islands. Moreover, in this paper, the results from the studies conducted by parasitologists of Taiwan in the past 43 (1955-1997) years were reviewed. This information included epidemiology, diagnosis, chemotherapy, and control methods, may provide some useful suggestions on the prevention of pinworm infection specialists and agencies concerned with the control of this disease.