[Studies on the intestinal fluke, Metagonimus yokogawai Katsurada, 1912 in Korea Geographical distribution of sweetfish and infection status with Metagonimus metacercaria in south-eastern area of Korea]

The present survey was undertaken to observe the geographical distribution of metacercaria among the sweetfish, Plecoglossus altivelis, the most important second intermediate host of Metagonimus yokogawai, which were collected during the period from 1983 to 1984 in south-eastern coastal areas of Korea. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. A total of 668 sweetfish collected from 70 chons (=streams) in the above coasta1 areas was examined for the metacercariae, and 432(64.7 percent) among them were infected with metacercariae of M. yokogawai. The mean number of metacercariae in a fish was in the range from 0 to 29,604 and the mean number of the metacercariae in a fish was 640.3. 2. It was observed that the mean infection rate showed 46.4 percent in Gangweon-Do (=province). The infection rates varied from stream to stream showing 100 percent in Namdae stream(Gangnun-city), Obsib-stream(Samchok-gun) and Dongmak, 95.0 percent in Hosan stream, 90.0 percent in Gungchon stream, and Namdae stream (Yangyang-up), 80.0 percent in Hwasang stream, 50.0 percent in Daebong stream, 45.0 percent in Yonghwa stream, 30.0 percent in Sangchon stream and Sachon stream, 20.0 percent in Munam stream and Okgyoe stream, 15.0 percent in Imweon stream, 10.0 percent in Namchon stream. And no metacercarial infections in their fish host were found in the areas of Mulchi stream, Sangun stream, Gosamun stream, Jonchon stream snd Gagok stream. 3. It was observed that the mean infection rate showed 50.9 percent in Kyongsangbuk-Do(=province). The infection rates also varied from stream to stream showing 100 percent in Songchon stream, Osib stream (Yongdok-gun) and Daejong stream, 60.0 percent in Pyonghae stream snd Gunmu stream, 50.0 percent in Buhwung stream, 25.0 percent in Nagok stream, 20.0 percent in Oangbi stream, 10.0 percent in Namhodong stream. And no metacercarial infections in their fish host were found in the areas of Namdae stream (Uljinup) and Choksan stream. 4. It was observed that the mean infection rate showed 67.6 percent in Kyongsangnam-Do(=province). The infection rates varied from stream to stream showing 100 percent in Taehwa river, Hwiya river, Inchon stream, Miryang river, Nam river, Hwagae stream, Koha stream, Sosang stream, and Tongchon stream, 90.9 percent in Yoncho stream, 90.0 percent in Hoihwa stream, 80.0 percent in Chindong stream, 66.7 percent in Chingyo stream, 40.0 percent in Hoyam river. And no metacercarial infections in their fish host were found in the areas of Chinjon stream, Sanchon stream and Jukchon stream. 5. It was observed that the mean infection rate showed 94.6 percent in Chollanam-Do(=province). The infection rates varied from stream to stream showing 100 percent in Dongchon stream, Isachon stream, Somjin river (Goksong-gun), Somjin river (Kurye-gun), Sosi stream, Gokchon stream, Kohung stream, Kwansan stream, Youi stream, Unjon stream and Apnae stream, 92.3 percent in Tamjin river, 90.9 percent in Okkok stream, 84.6 percent in Songgun stream. And no metacercarial infections in their fish host were found in the area of Yongok stream. 6. On the other hand, the infection rate showed 100 percent in Inchon river of Chollabuk-Do (=province) and Kangon stream of Cheju-Do (=province).