Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and stroke are frequent, multifactorial entities that share risk factors, and for which case-control and cross-sectional studies have shown a strong association. Stroke of respiratory centers can lead to apnea. Snoring preceding stroke, documentation of apneas immediately prior to transient ischemic attacks, the results of autonomic studies, and the circadian pattern of stroke, suggest that untreated OSA can contribute to stroke. Although cohort studies indicate that OSA is a stroke risk factor, controversy surrounds the cost-effectiveness of the screening for and treatment of OSA once stroke has occurred.

A survey was made to find the extent of intestinal parasite infection in Kampongcham, Cambodia in February 2002. A total of 251 fecal specimens were collected from Tonlebat primary school children and examined by formalin-ether sedimentation technique. The overall infection rate of intestinal parasite was 54.2% (males, 57.3%; females, 50.8%). The infection rate of intestinal helminths by the species were as follows: Ascaris lumbricoides 26.3%, Echinostoma sp. 15.6%, hookworm 6.4%, Opisthorchis sp. 4.0%, Rhabditis sp. 2.4%, and Trichuris trichiura 0.4%. The infection rate of intestinal protozoa were as follows: E. coli 7.6%, G. lamblia 3.2%, I. butschlii 3.2%, and E. histolytica 0.8%. More than two different kinds of parasites were found in 16.7% of the stool samples. All the children infected were treated with albendazole, praziquantel and metronidazole according to parasite species. The results showed that intestinal parasites are highly endemic in this area.

Human anisakiasis may occur after ingestion of raw marine fish infected with nematode larvae of Anisakidae. Anisakiasis caused by the migration of the larva into the wall of stomach, small intestine and other portion has been reported in Korea. This prospective study was made of all cases referred to parasitological laboratory in Cheju-do between June 1989 and June 1992. Gastric anisakiasis was confirmed if larvae invading the gastric wall were observed by gastrofiberscopy. One hundred and seven cases were diagnosed, most of which were in 30-49 years old. Most of the patients complained acute epigastric pain with history of eating raw marine fish. This symptom usually occurred about 12 hours to 1 day after ingestion of infected marine fish. Edema, erosion or ulcer of the mucosa and hemorrhage from the gastric wall were observed in the involved areas. Ninety larvae removed from the stomach were identified; the larva of Anisakis simplex was the most prevalent species, and the larva of Pseudoterranova decipiens was also detected. The important species of marine fish from which the patients became infected was demonstrated as yellow corvina, sea eel, ling, cuttle fish, yellowtail and others. Five species of marine fish as a possible source of infection were examined, and Anisakis simplex larvae and Pseudoterranova decipiens larvae were collected from the mackerel and rock cod. This study demonstrates that anisakiasis is recognized as a public health problem in Korea.

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