Further Cases of Human Heterophyes heterophyes nocens Infection in Korea

Abstract

Eight further cases of human infection by Heterophyes heterophyes nocens (Trematoda; Heterophyidae) were found by the recovery of adult worms in Korea. The cases were residing either in the southern coastal areas or in Seoul. All of them had the history of eating raw brackish water fishes such as the mullets (Mugil cephalus). After the treatment with praziquantel 1-28 specimens of H. heterophyes nocens were recovered from their stools, together with other kinds of intestinal flukes. This observation confirms that human infection by this fluke is not rare in Korea but most cases are lightly infected and/or mixed-infected with other intestinal flukes.