Prevalence of the Intestinal Flukes Haplorchis taichui and H. yokogawai in a Mountainous Area of Phongsaly Province, Lao PDR

• Published in: Korean journal of parasitology Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 339 - 342
• Main Authors: Chai, J.Y., Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Yong, T.S., Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Eom, Keeseon S., Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Republic of Korea, Min, D.Y., Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea, Shin, E.H., Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Banouvong, Virasack, Malaria Center, Provincial Health Department, Luangprabang, Lao PDR, Insisiengmay, Bounnaloth, Ministry of Public Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR, Insisiengmay, Sithat, Ministry of Public Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR, Phommasack, Bounlay, Ministry of Public Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR, Rim, H.J., Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 대한기생충학열대의학회 01.12.2010; The Korean Society for Parasitology
• Subjects: Adult; Animals; Antiparasitic Agents - administration & dosage; Brief Communication; Feces - parasitology; Female; Haplorchis taichui; Haplorchis yokogawai; Heterophyidae - anatomy & histology; Heterophyidae - classification; Heterophyidae - isolation & purification; Humans; LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC; Laos - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Phaneropsolus bonnei; Phongsaly Province; Praziquantel - administration & dosage; Prevalence; Pyrantel Pamoate - administration & dosage; REPUBLICA DEMOCRATICA POPULAR LAO; REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE POPULAIRE LAO; Taenia saginata; Trematode Infections - drug therapy; Trematode Infections - epidemiology; Trematode Infections - parasitology; TRICHOSTRONGYLUS; Laos; prevalence; Haplorchis yokogawai; Phaneropsolus bonnei; Haplorchis taichui; Trichostrongylus; Phongsali Province; Taenia saginata; Laos
• ISSN: 0023-4001; 1738-0006
• DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2010.48.4.339

Phongsaly Province, located in the northernmost area of Lao PDR, was previously suggested to be endemic for the liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini infection. To confirm, or rule out, this suggestion, the Phonxay village in the Khoua District, Phongsaly Province, was selected for a survey. Ten volunteers (8 men and 2 women aged 31-57 years) who consumed raw freshwater fish and had gastrointestinal troubles were treated with a single dose of praziquantel (40 mg/kg) and pyrantel pamoate (10 mglkg) and purged with magnesium sulfate to recover any worm parasites. Eight of the 10 volunteers expelled 1 or more species of trematodes, nematodes, or cestodes (worm positive rate; 80%). The worms were morphologically identified as H. taichui (861 worms from 8 people), H. yokogawai (59 from 6 people), Phaneropsolus bonnei (1 from 1 person), Trichostrongylus sp. (2 from 2 people), Ascaris lumbricoides (2 from 1 person), Enterobius vermicularis (11 from 3 people), and Taenia saginata (1 strobila with scolex from 1 person). The results indicate that the mountainous area of Phongsaly Province, Lao PDR, is not endemic for the liver fluke but endemic for intestinal flukes, in particular, Haplorchis taichuiand H. yokogawai.