AN ENDEMIC HUMAN INFECTION WITH HETEROPHYES NOCENS ONJI ET NISHIO 1916 AT MIKKABI-CHO, SHIZUOKA, JAPAN

Abstract

Human Heterophyes nocens infection was confirmed in 2 areas of Mikkabi-cho, Shizuoka Prefecture where high prevalence of Metagonimus yokogawai infection had been reported. The total prevalence showed 9.6% by stool examination. Among the patients, the older age's males predominated, and the infection within the same family was often observed. Adult worms were collected from stool samples of the patients after treatment with praziquantel. The worms were identified as H. nocens with morphological characteristics. The average size of eggs (27.8×16.1 μm) appeared in stools of the patients was slightly larger than that reported earlier, and rather equivalent to eggs of M. yokogawai. Questionnaire study revealed a correlation of a habit of eating raw fish, mullet in particular, and the trematode infection in Hamana Lake.