Survey of Zoonotic Trematode Metacercariae in Fish from Water Systems of Geum-gang (River) in Republic of Korea

Abstract

The infection status of zoonotic trematode metacercariae (ZTM) was surveyed in freshwater fishes from the water systems of Geum-gang (River) in the Republic of Korea (Korea). A total of 1,161 freshwater fishes from 6 local sites of Geum-gang were examined with the artificial digestion method for 4 years (2012-2015). Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae were detected in 122 (37.2%) out of 328 fishes in the positive fish species from 4 surveyed areas, and their mean intensity was 43 per fish infected. Metagonimus spp. metacercariae were found in 432 (51.7%) out of 835 fishes in the positive fish species from all 6 surveyed areas, and their mean intensity was 30 per fish infected. Centrocestus armatus metacercariae were detected in 285 (75.0%) out of 380 fishes in the positive fish species from 6 surveyed areas, and their mean intensity was 2,100 per fish infected. Echinostoma spp. metacercariae were found in 56 (19.7%) out of 284 fishes in the positive fish species from 5 surveyed areas, and their mean intensity was 10 per fish infected. Clinostomum complanatum metacercariae were detected in 98 (57.3%) out of 171 fishes in the positive fish species from only 2 surveyed areas, and their mean intensity was 11 per fish infected. Conclusively, the endemicity of ZTM is not so high in fishes from water systems of Geum-gang in Korea although it is more or less different by fish species, surveyed areas and ZTM species.

Prevalence and Infection Intensity of Zoonotic Trematode Metacercariae in Fish from Soyang-cheon (Stream), in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Korea

“…In this study, more than 6 species of ZTM, i.e., C. sinensis, Metagonimus spp., C. armatus, Echinostoma spp., C. complanatum and M. orientalis, were detected in fishes from Soyangcheon in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Korea. Their individual prevalences and infection intensities were relatively not so high when we compared with those of some other regions [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. However, the infection intensity with CsMc was over 110 in the latter period (2018 and 2019), and especially, those in 2 fish species, i.e., P. herzi and S. variegatus wakiye, were 351 and 254 PFI.…”

“…However, in Korean dark sleeper, O. platycephala , their prevalence was 65.1% and the mean intensity of infection was 12.0 PFI. Recently, Sohn et al [ 14 ] reported 100% prevalence and about 48 EsMc intensity in Korean dark sleepers from Yugu-cheon (a branch of Geum-gang) in Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do. On the other hand, the endemicities of 2 ZTM, C. complanatum and M. orientalis , were very low in fishes from Soyang-cheon in this study, when we compared with those of other regions [ 25 ].…”

“…Freshwater fishes, the infection sources of FZT, have been also examined by the co-working group of Korea DCPA to reveal the epidemiological situations in several water systems of major rivers in Korea [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. The infections of digenetic trematode metacercariae (DTM) including C. sinensis were surveyed in freshwater fish from the water systems of Hantan-gang (gang means river) and Imjin-gang in northern regions of Korea [8].…”

“…The infection characteristics of CsMc were also investigated in freshwater fish from 3 highly endemic sites (branch streams of Nakdong-gang), Wicheon (cheon means stream), Yongjeon-cheon and Yang-cheon, in Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea [11][12][13]. Recently, Sohn et al [14,15] reported the infection status with ZTM in fishes from Geum-gang and with DTM in fishes from coastal lakes in Gangwon-do, Korea. Sohn and Na [16] described the infection status of DTM in freshwater fishes from 2 visiting sites, Junam-jeosuji (jeosuji means reservoir) and Woopo-neup (neup means swamp), of migratory birds in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea.…”

Survey of Zoonotic Trematode Metacercariae in Fish from Irrigation Canal of Togyo-jeosuji (Reservoir) in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea

“…Moreover, in the dark sleeper, O. interrupta , the susceptible fish host for Isthmiophora hortensis [ 23 ], the EsMc prevalence was 42.9%, and the mean intensity of infection was 2.5 PFI in this study. Recently, Sohn et al [ 14 , 24 ] reported that the prevalence of EsMc were 100% and 65.1% in Korean dark sleepers, O. platycephala , from Yugu-cheon (a branch of Geum-gang) in Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do, and Soyang-cheon (a branch of Mangyeong-gang) in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do. The intensity of infection was about 48 and 12 PFI in Yugu-cheon and Soyang-cheon, respectively.…”