Uterine Tubules Research Articles

A Case of Human Pulmonary Dirofilariasis in a 48-Year-Old Korean Man

Dirofilariasis is a rare disease in humans. We report here a case of a 48-year-old male who was diagnosed with pulmonary dirofilariasis in Korea. On chest radiographs, a coin lesion of 1 cm in diameter was shown. Although it looked like a benign inflammatory nodule, malignancy could not be excluded. So, the nodule was resected by video-assisted thoracic surgery. Pathologically, chronic granulomatous inflammation composed of coagulation necrosis with rim of fibrous tissues and granulations was seen. In the center of the necrotic nodules, a degenerating parasitic organism was found. The parasite had prominent internal cuticular ridges and thick cuticle, a well-developed muscle layer, an intestinal tube, and uterine tubules. The parasite was diagnosed as an immature female worm of Dirofilaria immitis. This is the second reported case of human pulmonary dirofilariasis in Korea.

Metagonimus miyatai sp. nov. (Digenea: Heterophyidae), a new intestinal trematode transmitted by freshwater fishes in Japan and Korea.

Metagonimus miyatai n. sp. (Digenea: Heterophyidae) is described based on adult flukes collected from experimental dogs and hamsters fed with metacercariae encysted in the sweetfish, Plecoglossus altivelis, dace, tribolodon hakonensis and T. taczanowskii, common fat-minnow, Morocco steindachneri, pale chub, Zacco platypus, and dark chub, Zacco temmincki, and on those collected from naturally infected humans. The new species was morphologically compared with M. yokogawai and M. takahashii obtained from experimental animals fed with the sweetfish and the crucian carp, Carassius carassius, respectively. The uterine loops of M. miyatai reached near the posterior end of the body through the space between the two testes, whereas those of M. yokogawai, occupied only the space between the acetabulum and anterior border of two testes. This uterine tubule distribution was similar to that of another closely related species, M. takahashii. However, vitellaria of M. miyatai ended in front of the posterior end of the left testis, while those of M. takahashii reached the posterior end of the left testis and ran it over. By raising M. miyatai as a new species, differentiation of M. yokogawai and M. takahashii became very clear. A key to the species of the genus Metagonimus in the Far East has been proposed.

Three morphological types of the genus Metagonimus encysted in the dace, Tribolodon taczanowskii, caught from the Sumjin River

Three morphological types of the genus Metagonimus were found encysted in the dace, Tribolodon taczanowskii, caught from the Sumjin River, Korea. They include Metagonimus Yokogawa type (M. yokogawai), Miyata type, and Koga type according to Saito's classification. The metacercariae were experimentally fed to rats and hamsters and a total of 1,624 Metagonimus worms were recovered from their small intestine. The number of each type was 820 for Yokogawa type, 688 for Miyata type, 46 for Koga type, and 70 undetermined. The major differential keys between Yokogawa and Miyata types were in the position of two testes, distribution of uterine tubules, and size of the eggs, and the keys between Miyata and Koga types were in the position of two testes, distribution of vitelline follicles, and size of the eggs. The validity of Miyata type as a specific level should be retained until more convincing evidences are obtained. Koga type is regarded as a synonym of M. takahashii. The present results reveal that there are 3 morphological types of Metagonimus whose larvae are encysted in the dace, T. taczanowskii, from the Sumjin River.

Recovery rate, growth and development of Heterophyopsis continua in experimental chicks

The growth and developmental pattern of H. continua was observed after experimental infection of their metacercariae to chicks. The recovery rate of worms from the chicks at 1 to 28 days post-infection (PI) was 12.8% in average. The rate remained fairly high for early 4 days of infection but decreased thereafter rapidly till 28 days PI. Most of the flukes, 91.9%, were recovered from the ileum of the chicks. In metacercariae, genital organs such as the ovary, testes, seminal vesicle, seminal receptacle and genital sucker were recognizable. At one day PI Mehlis' gland appeared, and at 2 days follicular vitellaria were observed. At 3 days PI, eggs were formed in the uterine tubule and increased in number as the worm grew old. The worms reached 2,990 microns in length and 525 microns in width at 28 days PI. Genital organs developed rapidly in early stages of infection but slowly thereafter to 28 days PI, whereas non-genital organs developed steadily through the infection period. It was proved by this experiment that chicks should be a moderately suitable final host of H. continua.

Studies on the Metagonimus fluke in the Daecheong reservoir and the upper stream of Geum river, Korea

The prevalences of the fluke belonging to genus Metagonimus have been reported along the upper stream of inhabitants by several workers since 1980, however the taxonomical problems of the fluke was not yet settled. The larval flukes; cercaria and metacercaria as well as their intermediate hosts, and adult were studied in order to identify the Metagonimus in the areas. The results obtained are summarized as follows: The snails, Semisulcospira globus were collected from the three different localities along the upper stream of the River. The cercariae were found from 125(7.2%) out of 1,730 snails by natural emerging method, and were identified into 5 species including Metagonimus sp. (3.7%), Pseudexorchis major(1.4%), Cercaria nipponensis (0.9), Cercaria incerta (0.6%) and Cercaria yoshidae(0.6%). Cercariae of Metagonimus species had four to five oral spines on its anterior of the first line. The cercariae of Metagonimus were experimentally exposed to goldfish. Infection rate was 22.9% out of 105 goldfish, and the encysted metacercariae were found in fins(86.7%) and on scales (13.7%) of the fishes, but not in their muscle, head or visceral organs. Seven species of fish were caught in the Daecheong reservoir and the upper stream. Infestations with metacercaria of Metagonimus were found 100% in Opsariichtys bidens and the parasitized numbers of the metacercariae were observed from 250 to 2,400 per fish. In the upper stream, Zacco temmincki, Z. platypus and Pseudogobio esocinus were infected 100% with the metacercaria, on the other hand, the fishes caught in the reservoir showed the lower infestation rates, and a few metacercariae found in the fishes Carassius carassius and Cyprinus carpio in the reservoir and the stream. The majority of metacercariae was detected only on the scales of fishes. In order to know the infectivity and the distribution patterns in the intestine of hosts, rats and dogs were infected with the metacercariae obtained from O. bidens and Z. platypus. In addition the metacercariae obtained from Z. temmincki, P. esocinus and goldfish were given to the rats. The recovery rates of the worms in the small intestine of dogs were higher (63.3-65.8%) than those of the rats (3.5-31.6%). The flukes were found mostly in the middle and the lower part of small tntestine of the rats and the dogs, but no worm was collected in the upper part of the intestine of rats. The size of adult flukes varied by the hosts. In the adult flukes, oral sucker was smaller than ventral sucker, and the right and left testes were located diagonally, the uterine tubules circled around the upper left testis. The average egg size was 29.1 x 17.7 micro-meter. According to the above results, the flukes belonging to genus Metagonimus distributed along the Geum River was concluded to be identical with Miyata type of M. yokogawai as that Saito had proposed.

Study on the Metagonimus sp. in Gum river basin, Chungchung-nam Do, Korea

This study was undertaken to elucidate the status of Metagonimus species infection and to demonstrate the first and the second intermediate hosts of the fluke at the several localities along the Gum river, Chungchung-nam Do, Korea from March 1979 to October 1980. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Total 790 stool specimens of inhabitants from 6 localities along Gum river were examined by the combination of cellophane thick smear technique and formalin-ether concentration technique. The positive rate of intestinal helminths was 80.3 %, and the egg positive rate of Metagonimus sp. was 21 % from a total of 790 specimens examined. In the age bracket of 20~49, the positive rates of Metagonimus sp. were 31.1~36.5 %, and the males (26.8 %) were infected three times higher than females (8.9 %). By the area of the river, Gumsan which is located upper stream showed the highest positive rate (40.5 %) of the fluke, whereas the rates decreased gradually toward upper part of river (Muju) or the descending lower area of the river. The most lower area of river (Gangkyeong and Nonsan), no positive Metagonimus infection case was found. 2. The infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis in 790 was 37.3 %, and the status of mixed infection of Metagonimus with C. sinensis was found 127 cases (76 %) out of 166 cases with Metagonimus infection. 3. The result of measurement of ova from 166 cases of Metagonimus infection, large ova were found in 41.1 %, small size ova in 31.9 % and the mixed type in 27.1 %, respectively. The adult worms were recovered from the 6 cases after treatment with niclosamide, and the measurements of the worms showed similar morphological characteristics of the Metagonimus yokogawai. 5. Twenty-two species in 5 families of fresh water fish were caught. Out of 22 species of fish, 18 species were found infected with metacercaria of Metagonimus. In order to observe the distribution of metacercariae in the body and the rate of infection of the individual host, a total of 94 Pseudogobio esocinus were examined. Total 84 (89.4 %) out of 94 fish were infected with the metacercariae and the rates of distribution of the metacercaria were observed in the following order: on scale; 93.4 %, in gill; 3.2 %, head part; 2.9 %, but a few metacercaria was found in muscle and visceral organs. 6. The development of the metacercariae which were isolated from the scale of Pseudogobio esocinus were experimentally traced in the albino rat host from one day to 30 days after infection. At the 6th day, several eggs were visible in the uterine tubule of the some worms, on the 10th day, worms became 326.0 x 208.0 micrometer in size, however the bodies of worms grew no more until the 30th day after infection. The oral sucker was larger in size than the ventral sucker during early stage of the worms, but the 7th day after infection, it reversed. The ventral sucker situated on the ventral right side of the body. Right side of testis laid somewhat toward, and uterus and vetellaria extended to the posterior margin of the right testis. 7. Snails(Koreanomelania nodifila var. ovulum) were collected in the river, Buri-Myeon, Gumsan-Gun, and found the natural emerging ophthalmo-pleurophocercus cercaria. From the above result, the prevalence of Metagonimus species infection showed relatively higher rates from the inhabitants along the middle to upper localities of the river. Even though no sweetfish was caught in the surveyed areas, Gum river basin is the one of the new endemic foci of metagonimiasis in Korea.

Autoradiographic Studies On The Uptake Of (14)C-Succinic Acid By Clonorchis Sinensis.

The distribution of exogenous C(14)-succinic acid by Clonorchis sinensis incubated in Tyrode medium was studied by using autoradiographic techniques. A comparison was made between macro and microautoradiographs of this worm showed that black grains derived from labeled substance were distinctly observed in parenchymal tissue, oral sucker, ventral sucker, ovary, testes, and uterine tubules with eggs. In pharynx and intestine, a low density was monitored while negligible activity was found in seminal receptacle and vitelline follicles. In studying the further details, microautoradiography was utilized. The most radioactive regions were the reticular tissue and subcuticular musculature of this fluke, closely compatible with the finding of macroautoradiography. Apparent black grains of radioactivity were also found in oral sucker, ventral sucker, pharynx, uterine tubules, eggs in uterus, and intestinal ceca. Structures showing the least radioactivity included ovary, seminal receptacle and vitelline folliciles.

Autoradiographic Studies On The Uptake And Distribution Of (14)C-Glucose By Paragonimus Westermani.

Autoradiographic study was performed in order to know the distrition of exogenous (14)C-glucose by lung fluke, Paragonimus westermani, incubated in Tyrode medium containing 10 micro Ci/ml of labeled substance. After 1 hour incubation at 37 degrees C, microautoradiographs of this fluke showed that black grains derived from radioactive carbon were accumulated mainly in the parenchyme and subcuticular musculature. The muscular tissues such as oral sucker, pharynx and ventral sucker revaled considerable density of fine grains. Slight radioactivity was also observed in the regions of ovary, testes, vitelline follicles, eggs in uteyrus, intestinal ceca, and even in excretory bladder. Structures showing the least activity included the cuticle and uterine tubules of this fluke.

Study On Metagonimus Yokogawai(Katsurada, 1912) In Korea: I. On The Metacercaria, Its Distribution In The Second Intermediate Host And The Development In The Final Host.

1)The metacercariae of Metagonimus yokogawai were isolated from the sweetfish Plecoglossus altivelis, clollected at Hwagae, South Kyongsang Do, one of the newly known endemic foci of metagonimiasis in Korea. The body structure of metacercaria of M.yokogawai was described and the measurements of the excysted metacercaria were also made. 2)In order to know the distribution of metacercariae within the host, the rate of infection and the intensity of infection, a total of 10 sweet fishes was examined and it was found all infected, from which a total of 38,511 metacercariae was isolated. The number of metacercariae in a fish varied from 219 to 14,427. The average number of metacercaria per fish was 3,851. The distribution of metacercariae in the four divided parts of fish was observed in the following order; number of metacercaria in the muscles; 2,417 (62.8%), in the subcutaneous tissues; 1,126.9 (29.3%), and on the scale; 291.9(7.7%). 3)The development of the metacercaria of M. yokogawai in the mouse host was experimentally traced every day for 10 days after infection. In an earlier period of infection, the growth rate of the genital primordia was distinctly high, particularly in the testes. The seminal receptable and seminal vesicle became clearly recognized in measurable size at 4 days after infection. The vitelline follicles and their ducts were also first visible in the living specimens at 6 days after infection. The oral sucker was larger in size than the ventral sucker in an early stage of the worms, however after 7 days after infection it reversed. The posterior part of body began to extend since two days after infection. Fully matured worms were able to collect only after 7 days after infection. At this stage, the body of worm became 0.7 mm long and 0.3 mm wide. The first positive appearance of eggs in the uterine tubule and in feces was on the 6th day and 10th day of infection, respectively. In an earlier stage of infection, the worms were found mostly in the upper portion of small intestine and the recovery rates of the worms were high, however according to the course of infection in later stage they were seen rather in the lower part of the intestine and the recovery rate also decreased.

Autoradiographic Study On Eurytrema Pancreaticum

Direct contact method of autoradiography was applied in order to know in Eurytrema pancreaticum which was incubated at various intervals such as 60, 120, 240, and 360 minutes in the vitro media added with radioactive succinic acid, C(14)-succinate. The distribution of the radioactive succinate was clarified by this technique and possible explanation was presented. The autoradiographic procedures were essentially the same as those reported previously by Yoon et al. (1964). The most distinct autoradiograms were obtained after 240 minutes incubation. The radioactivity of this labelled succinic acid chiefly concentrated in reproductive organs, such as testes, ovary, egg containing uterine tubules and vitelline follicles.

Autoradiographic Studies On Some Parasitic Helminth.

Direct contact method of autoradiography was utilized in studying the distribution of exogenous C(14)-proline in Clonorchis sinensis, Eurytrema pancreaticum, Hymenolepis diminuta and Dipylidium caninum. The most distinct autoradiogram were obtained after 60 min of incubation, corresponding to the maximal absorption of C(14)-proline in these parasite. The radioactivitity of this labeled amino acid was chiefly concentrated in reproductive organs, especially egg-containing uterine tubules.

The experimental studies on Capillaria hepatica

The experimental studies on Capillaria hepatica