[Epidemiological survey on the infection of Paragonimus westermani in Jiangxi Province].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Paragonimus westermani infection in the intermediate hosts and animal reservoivs in Jiangxi Province. METHODS: Two forest farms in Jingan and Wanzai Counties and one town in Yushan County of Jiangxi Province were selected as pilots for epidemiological and retrospective survey. The intermediate hosts (snails, crabs) and reservoir hosts (cat, dog, civet cat, wildcat, etc.) were collected and examined. Data on the changes of ecological environment and people's behaviors were also collected. RESULTS: The average infection rate in Semisulcospira libertina and Sinopotamon spp. was 0.21% and 54.3% respectively, and that of reservoir hosts was 5.6%. Compared with those in 20 years ago, the infection rate in Sinopotamon spp. decreased considerably. CONCLUSION: The three areas are still endemic for P. westermani with lower prevalence than before possibly due to the change of ecological environment.