Abstract
The endemic status of clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis along the Geum gang (River) in Okcheon-gun (County) in Korea was examined. From February to December 7000, stools of total 1,081 inhabitants living in 5 villages were examined. Each stool specimen was examined by both the cellophane thick smear method and the formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Egg-positive cases were further analyzed by Stoll's egg-counting technique. and praziquantel was administered to positive cases. The egg-positive rates for Clonorchis sinensis and Metafonimus species were 9.3% and 5.5%, respectively, and the double infection rate was 3.5%. The numbers of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces of C. sinensis and Metafoninus sp. were $918{\pm}1,463$ and $711{\pm}947$, respectively. The egg-positive rates for C. sinensis and Metagoninus sp. in the riverside area were 14.2% and 8.4%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the inland area (3.2% and 1.7%. respectively). The egg-positive rates of C. sinensis and Metagoninus sp. in males (16.7% and 10.0%) were significantly higher than those of females (3.5% and 1.8%) However, there were no significant differences of EPG values between localities and sexes. The prevalence of clonorchiasis and metagonimiasis in this survey was significantly lower than that in the previous reports. However. there is still a high prevalence of infection with C. sinensis and Metagoninus sp. in this region. especially in the riverside area.
