Sparganum infections in normal adult population and epileptic patients in Korea: a seroepidemiologic observation.

A seroepidemiologic observation of anti-Spirometra erinacei plerocercoid (sparganum) antibody (IgG) in serum was made in normal adult and epileptic patients in Korea from February, 1987 to September, 1990. Sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-sparganum antibody together with anti-Taenia solium metacestode, and anti-Paragonimus westermani antibodies. Sera reacted positively to sparganum antigen only were considered. Positive rate for anti-sparganum antibody in 850 normal adults was 1.9% (standardized rate by provincial population was 1.7%). In 2,667 randomly selected patients of epilepsy at 28 local centers of the Changmi Club, positive rate was 2.5% (standardized rate: 2.3%). In both normal adult and patient groups, the higher antibody rates were observed in Kangwon and Chonnam Provinces. Positive rates were 10 times higher in male than in female in normal adults and 4.5 times in male epileptic patients. The rates were elevated especially with age over 30-year. Odd ratio of the antibody was 1.32 which indicated an ambiguous etiologic factor for epilepsy.