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Tissue parasitic diseases in Korea
1Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea.
Journal of Korean Medical Science
|June 1, 1988
Summary
Tissue parasitic diseases remain a significant concern in Korea, with non-intestinal parasites posing a considerable problem. This study analyzes 594 cases from 1968-1987, highlighting the frequency and histopathology of various parasitic infections.
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Parasitology
Background:
- Parasitic diseases continue to be a significant public health issue in Korea, despite a reduction in soil-transmitted infections.
- Non-intestinal parasitic infections represent a persistent challenge requiring ongoing surveillance and study.
Observation:
- A 20-year retrospective study (1968-1987) analyzed 594 tissue parasitic disease cases from Seoul National University Hospital's pathology laboratory.
- Parasitic diseases constituted 0.33% of all surgical pathology accessions, averaging 30 cases annually.
- Cysticercosis was the most prevalent helminthic infection (425 cases), followed by paragonimiasis (35), clonorchiasis (32), and sparganosis (31).
Findings:
- Protozoal infections included 15 cases of amebiasis, 7 of imported leishmaniasis, and 5 of Pneumocystis carinii.
- Imported parasitic diseases, such as leishmaniasis and echinococcosis, are increasingly detected.
- Cestodiasis, particularly cysticercosis and sparganosis, warrants further epidemiological re-evaluation due to consistent morbidity.
Implications:
- Histopathological analysis provides crucial insights into the impact of various parasites on host tissues.
- The findings underscore the importance of continued monitoring and research into both endemic and imported parasitic infections in Korea.
- Understanding the relative frequency and histopathological features of tissue parasites is vital for effective diagnosis and management.