[Infection status of Tapes philippinarum collected from southern coastal areas of Korea with Parvatrema spp. (Digenea:Gymnophallidae) metacercariae].

An epidemiologic survey along the several sites of southern coastal areas of Korean peninsula was performed to know the infection status of Parvatrema spp. metacercariae in Tapes philippinarum. The clams were purchased from 13 coastal areas in Kyongsangnam-do and Chollanam-do, in September, 1990. Each of them was digested with pepsin-HCl solution and examined under a stereomicroscope for the recovery of metacercariae. A total of 232 (77.3%) out of 300 examined clams were proved to have 1 to 273 Parvatrema spp. metacercariae (54.7 in average). None of the clams from Samsan-myon Kosong-gun and Dolsan-up. Yochon-gun was infected with metacercariae. However, all of the clams from Yonghyon-myon, Sachon-gun, Dohwa-myon, Kohung-gun, Ahllyang-myon, Changhung-gun and Chiryang-myon. Kangjin gun were infected with average 71, 31, 80 and 42 metacercariae respectively. Of the clams from Kohyon-myon. Namhae-gun. Doam-myon, Kangjin-gun and Kusan-myon, Uichang-gun examined, 97.5%, 95.0% and 90.0% were infected with about 117, 76 and 28 metacercariae. In other 4 surveyed areas. Seolchon-myon, Namhae-gun. Hwayang myon, Yochon-gun, Byollyang-myon, Sungju-gun and Bukpyong-myon. Haenam-gun, 55.0%-80.0% of clams were positive, and their average intensity of infection ranged from 6 to 25 metacercariae. From thse results, it was confirmed that Tapes philippinarum from southern coastal areas of Korea are highly infected by Parvatrema spp. metacercariae.