A chronological research on parasitic endemic disease, "Katayama-disease" (Schistosomiasis japonica) in Hiroshima Prefecture in the 20th century (the 3rd communication on the historical research on Schistosomiasis japonica in Hiroshima Prefecture).

A chronological research on the parasitic endemic disease, "Katayama Disease" in Hiroshima Prefecture was carried out. The present study was concerned mainly with the documents in the 20th century. It was confirmed that the development of excellent chemotherapeutic agents were not pivotal as a result. The eradication of the vector snails was clearly shown to be responsible for that of the infectious disease.

The history of schistosomiasis japonica in Taiwan.

Studies of schistosomiasis japonica in Taiwan indicate that the Formosan strain of Schistosoma japonicum is zoophilic in nature. After the discovery of the adult worm of S. japonicum in 1914, a considerable number of epidemiologic studies and experimental infection studies were conducted. This paper is a review of the history of schistosomiasis japonica in Taiwan from before World War II to 2003.

History of Katayama disease: schistosomiasis japonica in Katayama district, Hiroshima, Japan.

Historical account of Katayama disease is presented as a centenary record since the discovery of Schistosoma japonicum in Japan in 1904. The ever unknown endemic disease was called Katayama disease. Katayama district, Hiroshima Prefecture is one of endemic areas of schistosomiasis japonica in Japan. The causative parasite was first discovered in a human case in Katayama district. After the discovery of the parasite, life history, diagnosis, treatment, control measures and even eradication have been worked out, attempted and succeeded in Katayama district together with other endemic areas in Japan. Hiroshima Prefecture declared safety from the disease in 1980.

Historical view of schistosomiasis japonica in Japan: implementation and evaluation of disease-control strategies in Yamanashi Prefecture.

We summarized historical aspects of disease control activities targeting schistosomiasis japonica in Kofu basin, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Kofu Basin was one of the biggest endemic foci of schistosomiasis japonica in Japan, and the last place where transmission of Schistosoma japonicum was confirmed in Japan. Because of the most severe endemic situations in Yamanashi, intensive control measures had been implemented by the central as well as the local government. The last human case in Japan was in 1977, which is just before praziquantel being available. Therefore, the main efforts were focused on snail control. Mass examination and mass chemotherapy were implemented, however, the compliance was not so good because of the severe side effects due to the available therapeutics, Stibnal. Along with socioeconomic development after World War II, big changes in land use, life style, and farming led drastic reduction in the disease prevalence in Kofu Basin in the 1960s. A large amount of budget was also used for disease control. Cementing water canals covered more than 95% of paddy fields in Kofu Basin, and this resulted in ecological changes. After elimination of schistosomiasis, environmental repair is the urgent subject in Kofu Basin. Our experiences in Yamanashi contain both good influences and also a lot of reflection. It is important to evaluate each activity in our history before we give intensive cooperation with countries where endemic foci is still present.

From discovery to eradication of schistosomiasis in Japan: 1847-1996.

Among the areas in Japan where schistosome infections have occurred for many years, three major areas were Katayama District, Kofu Basin and Chikugo River Basin and three minor areas were Numazu District, Tone River Basin and Obitsu River Bank. The presence of the disease had long been recognised in the Katayama Memoir written by Fujii (1847, in the Chinese Classics). The cause of this endemic disease had been studied by many researchers, and finally a new trematode, Schistosoma japonicum, was discovered by Katsurada in 1904 [Tokyo Iji Shinshi, Vol. 1371, pp. 13-32]. The route of percutaneous infection was proven by Fujinami & Nakamura (1909) [Kyoto Medical Journal, Vol. 6, pp. 224-252] using 17 calves. Miyairi & Suzuki (1913) [Tokyo Iji Shinshi, Vol. 1836, pp. 1961-1965] determined a small snail, Oncomelania nosophora, as being the intermediate host, and clarified the development of the schistosome in the snail. To kill schistosome eggs, human faecal matter ('night soil') was stored for 2 weeks or more before using as fertiliser. Control of the parasite used caustic lime and calcium cyanamide to kill eggs, cercariae and Oncomelania snails. Susceptible cows were replaced with horses, which were more resistant to infection as the animal of burden for agriculture. Ditches around the rice fields were cemented for destruction of snail habitats. For snail control, sodium pentachlorophenate (NaPCP) was sprayed extensively. Some wetlands were drained and reclaimed and in selected localities, the river bottom was dredged. Such projects were undertaken with government support and aided by community participation. Epidemiological surveys began in 1910, first at Kofu, and infected people were treated with sodium tartar emetic (Stibnal) after 1921. The total number of cases detected in Japan in 1920 was about 8000. This figure was reduced annually down to 438 by 1970. The last human case of new infection found in Japan was at Kofu in 1977. Although snails were eradicated in most areas by 1983, a limited number of uninfected snails remain at Kofu and Obitsu.