The epidemiological studies on the filariasis in Korea II. Distribution and prevalence of malayian filariasis in southern Korea

, Seo, Byong Seol; , Rim, Han Jong; , Lim, Young Chan; , Kang, Il Kwon; , Park, Young Ok

doi:1968.6.3.132

Korean J Parasito > Volume 6(3):1968 > Article

Original Article


Korean J Parasitol. 1968 Dec;6(3):132-141. English. Published online Mar 20, 1994. http://dx.doi.org/10.3347/kjp.1968.6.3.132
Copyright © 1968 by The Korean Society for Parasitology


The epidemiological studies on the filariasis in Korea II. Distribution and prevalence of malayian filariasis in southern Korea
Byong Seol Seo,Han Jong Rim,Young Chan Lim,Il Kwon Kang and Young Ok Park
Department of Parasitology and Institute of Endemic Diseases, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea.


Abstract
During 1964 to 1967, a survey of 30,534 persons for filariasis was made on all over the country with the following results: 1. Among 24,816 draftees from all over the country in the army recruitment camp 155(0.63 %) were found infected with Brugia malayi. Cheju Do showed the highest microfilaria rate(3.5 %), North Kyongsang Do(1.4 %) the next and South Cholla Do(1.2 %) the third. 2. Blood films from 2,308 inhabitants were examined and 407(17.6 %) showed microfilaria in Cheju Do. 30(3.1 %) out of 974 inhabitants in North Kyongsang Do were found to be infected. The microfilaria rates were 2.0 per cent for 400 inhabitants of Chindo island in South Cholla Do. However, no positive case of microfilaria was found in the inhabitants of Kokumdo among 1,820 persons examined in South Cholla Do and of Namhae island(among 165 persons examined) in South Kyongsang Do. 3. The mean microfilarial density per 20 cu. mm of blood was 52.6 in the inhabitants of Cheju Do, 12.2 in North Kyongsang Do and 27.3 in Chindo island(South Cholla Do). 4. Any distinct relationship between the incidence of positive cases of microfilariae and age or sex of the cases was not observed in Cheju Do. However, in Norh Kyongsang Do and South Cholla Do the microfilaria rate of the male group is higher than the one of the female group of the inhabitants. 5. From the above survey results it turned out that filariasis was found throughout Southern Korea except Kyonggi Do and South Kyongsang Do. A total 30,534 persons examined, 601(2.0 %) were found to be infected by Brugia malayi. Therefore, it seems that there are some endemic foci of malayian filariasis in three main areas such as North Kyongsang Do, South Cholla Do and Cheju Do.

Figures


	Fig. 1 Topographical presentation of Korea.


	Fig. 2 Microfilaria positive cases in Cheju Do.


	Fig. 3 Microfilaria positive cases in North Kyongsang Do.


	Fig. 4 Microfilaria positive cases in South Cholla Do.


	Fig. 5 Distribution map of microfilaria positive cases.

Tables


	Table 1 Microfilarial survey of night blood specimens collected from army recruitment camp


	Table 2 Microfilarial survey of inhabitants in Cheju Do (Quelpart Island)


	Table 3 Age and sex distributions of microfilaria positive rates in Cheju Do


	Table 4 Microfilarial survey of inhabitants in North Kyongsang Do


	Table 5 Age and sex distributions of microfilaria positive cases in North Kyongsang Do


	Table 6 Microfilarial survey of inhabitants in South Cholla Do


	Table 7 Age and sex distributions of microfilaria positive cases in Chindo Gun, South Cholla Do


	Table 8 Incidence of Brugia malayi in Southern Korea -Night blood specimens collected from recruitment camp and inhabitants-

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