1
|
Harada Y, Iwashita H, Moriyasu T, Nagi S, Saito N, Sugawara-Mikami M, Yoshioka K, Yotsu R. The current status of neglected tropical diseases in Japan: A scoping review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011854. [PMID: 38166156 PMCID: PMC10786391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Little attention has been paid to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in high-income countries and no literature provides an overview of NTDs in Japan. This scoping review aims to synthesize the latest evidence and information to understand epidemiology of and public health response to NTDs in Japan. Using three academic databases, we retrieved articles that mentioned NTDs in Japan, written in English or Japanese, and published between 2010 and 2020. Websites of key public health institutions and medical societies were also explored. From these sources of information, we extracted data that were relevant to answering our research questions. Our findings revealed the transmission of alveolar echinococcosis, Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, dengue, foodborne trematodiases, mycetoma, scabies, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis as well as occurrence of snakebites within Japan. Other NTDs, such as chikungunya, cystic echinococcosis, cysticercosis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, rabies, and schistosomiasis, have been imported into the country. Government agencies tend to organize surveillance and control programs only for the NTDs targeted by the Infectious Disease Control Law, namely, echinococcosis, rabies, dengue, and chikungunya. At least one laboratory offers diagnostic testing for each NTD except for dracunculiasis, human African trypanosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and yaws. No medicine is approved for treatment of Chagas disease and fascioliasis and only off-label use drugs are available for cysticercosis, opisthorchiasis, human African trypanosomiasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, and yaws. Based on these findings, we developed disease-specific recommendations. In addition, three policy issues are discussed, such as lack of legal frameworks to organize responses to some NTDs, overreliance on researchers to procure some NTD products, and unaffordability of unapproved NTD medicines. Japan should recognize the presence of NTDs within the country and need to address them as a national effort. The implications of our findings extend beyond Japan, emphasizing the need to study, recognize, and address NTDs even in high-income countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuriko Harada
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hanako Iwashita
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taeko Moriyasu
- Office for Global Relations, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Sachiyo Nagi
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Nobuo Saito
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Mariko Sugawara-Mikami
- West Yokohama Sugawara Dermatology Clinic, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kota Yoshioka
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Interfaculty Initiative in Planetary Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Rie Yotsu
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
- Department of Dermatology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abstract
Parasitic agents have been known to cause human disease since ancient times and are endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. Complications of parasitic diseases, including kidney involvement, are associated with worse outcomes. Chagas disease, filariasis, leishmaniasis, malaria and schistosomiasis are important parasitic diseases that can damage the kidney. These diseases affect millions of people worldwide, primarily in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and kidney involvement is associated with increased mortality. The most common kidney complications of parasitic diseases are acute kidney injury, glomerulonephritis and tubular dysfunction. The mechanisms that underlie parasitic disease-associated kidney injury include direct parasite damage; immunological phenomena, including immune complex deposition and inflammation; and systemic manifestations such as haemolysis, haemorrhage and rhabdomyolysis. In addition, use of nephrotoxic drugs to treat parasitic infections is associated with acute kidney injury. Early diagnosis of kidney involvement and adequate management is crucial to prevent progression of kidney disease and optimize patient recovery.
Collapse
|