FASCIOLOPSIASIS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE FAR EAST: A REVIEW
Abstract
In 1947 it was estimated that over 10 million people in the Far East were infected with Fasciolopsis buski. Most of these infections were reported from mainland China. Although fasciolopsiasis is endemic in Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, East Pakistan and India, the distribution of infections in these countries in limited and the overall prevalence rates are considerably lower than those of mainland China. While human fasciolopsiasis has not been reported from Indonesia and Burma, pigs in these countries have been found infected with the parasite. Human infections have been reported from Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and a number of western countries, but it is probable these were from people who immigrated from endemic areas or where due to misidentification of the egg. Fasciolopsiasis is restricted to areas where populations raise water plants, such as water caltrop, water chestnuts, water hyacinth and water bamboo; and to populations that commonly ingest the uncooked metacercariae-laden plants. Pigs appear to be an important reservoir of infection and species of snails of the genera Segmentina, Hippeutis, and Planorbis, the intermediate hosts. Investigations show infections are found most commonly in individuals and families that live in the immediate vicinity of water caltrop plantations and that prevalence rates are highest in children.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0709477
Entities
People
- John H. Cross
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center