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Research and education of veterinary parasitology in Japan
veterinary parasitology ELSEVIER
Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3-11
Research and Education of Veterinary Parasitology in Japan Naoyoshi Suzuki The Research Center for Protozoan Molecular Immunology, Obihiro University, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
1. Introduction Welcome to Yokohama, one of the oldest port cities in Japan. This is the 15th Conference of the W.A.A.V.P., and it is the first time to take place in Asia, as is the World Veterinary Congress, which will be held following this Conference at Yokohama. I would like to take this opportunity to express appreciation to you all for coming all the way to attend this conference. It was the 1967 or 2rid W.A.A.V.P. Conference at Lyon, that I first participated in this conference, and since then I have attended several conferences. I still cannot forget the marvellous conference organized by Lord Soulsby at Cambridge, UK, in 1993. Since having agreed to host this conference, all the members of the Japanese Association of Veterinary Parasitology have worked to prepare for the conference with the valuable suggestions and advice from Dr. Slocombe, President of the W.A.A.V.P. On behalf of the Association, I would like to express my deep and special thanks to him, and all the staff members for their continuous and devoted efforts. The main purpose of this conference is to have high-level scientific discussions, as well as to promote understanding and friendship among the attendants, but in addition to that, I do hope you will have opportunities to come in contact with the oriental culture, especially our traditional Japanese culture. I, and all the staff members of the Local Organizing Committee, would be so happy, if you would thoroughly enjoy your stay here as much as your time allows.
2. History of veterinary parasitology in Japan The history of research and education of Veterinary Parasitology in Japan is a very short period, in fact, it has been only about 100 years since the education system for Veterinary Science was established. The outline of its progress and development is given by focusing on the leading Japanese researchers. 0304-4017/96/$15.00 Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Pll S 0 3 0 4 - 4 0 1 7 ( 9 6 ) 0 0 9 8 9 - 2
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N. Suzuki/Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3-11
Fig. 1. A Japanese traditional poem with the picture, expressing our welcome to all participants.
The oldest paper reported on research of parasitic diseases in veterinary medicine is the one on bovine schistosomiasis written in Japanese (chinese characters) by Medical Dr. Katayama in 1847. In it, he reported that some cattle had shown similar symptoms to those of human schistosomiasis in an area where infection of Schistosoma japonicum was prevalent among humans. After the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum was found to be Oncomelania nosophora, measures were taken against this disease by establishing diagnostic, treatment and protective methods. As a result, in present-day Japan, new cases of this disease have not been found either in humans or in animals. In the old days, the Japanese use to write sentences from the upper right to the lower right proceeding from the right to the left, using a brush and black ink. As shown in Fig. 1 I want to explain a little bit more about Japanese. Since the end of the 2rid World War in 1945, the Japanese way of writing has been changed. We started to write from the upper left to the upper right, proceeding from top to bottom. Despite this change in the Japanese way of writing in general, some of the writings, such as formal official documents, are still written in the traditional way. On the paperboard with Haiga, which means the picture to go along with the Japanese poem, that has developed together with the Japanese traditional green tea ceremony, I have written a piece of Haiku on which my wife made the picture. Haiku is a Japanese traditional poem, in which one expresses what he or she feels, using only seventeen syllables in principle. The poem in Fig. l reads: "To-o-ku-ka-ra, Hi-no-de-ru-ku-ni-e, A-ri-ga-to-o," as a total of only 17 syllables and it means, "Thank you so much for coming all the way to the eastern country of the rising-sun-Japan."
N. Suzuki~ Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3-11
5
Education and research in Veterinary parasitology in Japan started at Noji-Shu-gakujoh (School of Agriculture) in 1874, which was the forerunner of the University of Tokyo. The Japanese Government, Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, recognizing the need of Veterinary Science Education, invited a Dr. McBride from Edinburgh University, Scotland, for 3 years of service to 1876, and Dr. Jannson from Berlin University, Germany, from 1880 to 1903, as government visiting Professors. At the School of Agriculture, Dr. Jannson taught veterinary internal medicine and parasitology. This practically was the start of research on veterinary parasitic diseases in our country. The bust of Dr. Jannson is placed in praise for his achievements at the front gate of the No.3 Building of the Faculty of Agriculture, the University of Tokyo. The desk and chair which Dr. Jannson had long used, have been well preserved at the Department of Internal Medicine of the University of Tokyo. I once studied, using them, but they are not used any more now. The research on Veterinary Parasitology in Japan started at the School of Agriculture in 1874, and then at the Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine of the University of Tokyo. To this day in 1995, 10 national (Tokyo, Hokkaido, Obihiro, Iwate, Tokyo-Noko, Gifu, Tottori, Yamaguchi, Miyazaki, Kagoshima), one prefectural (Osaka) and 5 private (Rakuno, Kitazato, Azabu, Nihon, Nihon Jui-chikusan) veterinary schools have been established. Research and education in Veterinary Parasitology is also included at other institutions such as the National Institute for Animal Health, belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture. Until the end of the 2nd World War, research also took place at the Veterinary Epidemiology Research Center in Korea. The department of veterinary internal medicine and parasitology of the University of Tokyo was taken over from Dr. Jannson by Professors Katsushima, Itagaki, Okoshi, Tomoda, and at the present time, Professor Hasegawa. Since 1987 when the new department of veterinary clinical pathobiology was established in the veterinary school, I sat as the Chairman and Professor of the department, and the subject of veterinary parasitology shifted to the new department. It is widely recognized among all, that the method of research and education in veterinary parasitology in Japan was established by Professor Shiro Itagaki shown in Fig. 2. He served as Chairman and Professor from 1921 to 1947. Professor S. Itagaki was a leader in founding the Parasitology Division of the Japanese Association of Veterinary Science, and took the initiative in promoting the scientific research level of the Association. Among his numerous scientific achievements, research on the following diseases were most outstanding; canine heartworm disease (caused by Dirofilaria immitis), horse-lumbar paralysis (caused by Setaria digitata), horse-neck threadworm disease (caused by Onchocerca cervicalis), and canine whipworm disease. Moreover, as a matter of fact, many of his disciples are currently and actively promoting education and research in veterinary parasitology in Japan. Until the end of the 2nd World War, scientific papers were commonly written in Japanese and sometimes German or English abstracts were attached to the paper. Dr. S. Itagaki, however, wrote and presented his important papers in English, and thus, tried to exchange opinions and promote understanding with foreign researchers. This attitude was a quite exceptional case for a Japanese scientist at that time. The paper shown in Fig. 3, is the very first and an important report on Anisakiasis, presented in Japan. I
6
N. Suzuki / Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3- I 1
Fig. 2. Professor Shiro ltagaki - - Pioneer and leader of research and education vetinary parasitology in Japan.
believe it is of great significance that, 60 years ago, in a pig's stomach as paratenic host, he found Anisakis larval parasitism, a disease which is similar to human anisakiasis larvae infection, now widely known as one of the parasitic zoonoses. Since 1930, Dr. S. Itagaki had long conducted research on canine heartworm disease with Dr. S. Kume who was a Professor of the Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (Tokyo No-ko University). Later, together with Dr. I. Ohishi, his successor, and Dr. M. Hayasaki, they worked on patho-physiological studies and established diagnostic methods and treatment for this disease. This research is still continued as one of the major themes at their university. During the 2nd World War, from 1940-1945, there were outbreaks of lumbar paralysis in sheep in the Peninsula of Korea, and it became a big problem. Dr. Jinkichi Fujita (shown in Fig. 4), one of the young followers of Dr. S. Itagaki, was sent from the University of Tokyo to the Veterinary Epidemiology Research Center in Korea. This was for the purpose of researching lumbar paralysis and other parasitic infections. Eventually Dr. Fujita found out that sheep lumbar paralysis is caused by the cerebro-spinal migration of Setaria digitata larvae. After returning to Japan, he trained or taught many scientists, first as Director-General of the National Institute for Animal Health, and later as a Professor of Parasitology at Nippon Veterinary and Zootechnical University. Besides that, he also made significant contributions to the development of scientific
N. Suzuki / Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3 - 1 1
7
A NEW L A R V A L NEMATODE (ANISAKINAE) FOUND IN T H E STOMACH O F SWINE. sI [1RO ITAGAKI
itatlaa-~l1.;~*cni~, ~'ul~, .lltl~a.) (P.ee~l for lX~blieatloa~tay o 19~$.)
The parasites de*crived in this paper were offered to me by Mr. Otani, as inspector of the Tokyo slaughterhouse, who, during the winter of 1926, obtained them from the stomach of three siaugittered swine*. The worats, I considered, may be a species of the subgenus Anlsakinae Ruilllel d ~[¢m'y belonging to Ascaroidea, owing to that they have the posterior part of the oesophagus. It is impns~ble, however, to determine whether they belong to Anisakis or Paranlsakis unless the adult worms are discovered. In examining these shree stoma¢l~ of the infested swMes I found that the parasites attached firmly to the mucosa. From the gross appearance of the worms it seemed to be the adults of Physocephalus or Arduenna, but a microscopical examination of the worms revealed they were larvsl staged nematode of a ititherto node*on'heal species. So far as the writer is aware, no case* of this infestation with such larval nematode in swine* have been reported. It may" be therfore, of iFeit interest to report these cases in detail. The parasites were found attached chiefly to the anterior part and rarely other parts of the stomach. The affected stomach showed a feebly inflamed zone surrounding the infested areas and deep lineal ulcers in the mucous membrane from few millimeters to three centimeters long, which were dark red in colour as a result of chronic haemorrhege. Along these long ulcers several openings were seen, through which the worms projected only the caudal ends above the mucous membrane. The infected areas presented small, c i r c ~ h e d elevations on the mucosa and were found to he thickened by cell-infiltrations of the submucosa, but no lesions were found in the muscular layers. Description of the parasites. T h e w o r m s were all in en-
Fig. 3. The very f'wstand important report on Anisakiasis presented in English by Professor S. Itagaki.
research as a president of the Veterinary Parasitology Association. Today, as a scientific advisor, he still gives invaluable advice and consultation to the association. During the period from 1941 to 1945, almost the same period that Dr. Fujita worked in Korea, there were outbreaks of horse-lumbar paralysis in Japan. Through various infection experiments, Professor S. Itagaki and Dr. C. Sho-ho found out that the cause of horse-lumbar paralysis was also caused by the cerebro-spinal migration of Setaria digitata larvae. Even today, there are occasions when Dr. Sho-ho presents the results of his research on Setaria. I believe his epidemiological research on Setaria is highly acclaimed world-wide. Professor S. Itagaki not only made brilliant achievements as a scientist of parasitology, but he also, as president of Azabu University, made great contributions to the establishment and development of the educational system of veterinary science in Japan. His strong will regarding research in veterinary parasitology was continued by his son, Professor Hiroshi Itagaki. Dr. H. Itagaki is a Professor of Parasitology at the Veterinary School of Azabu University, and is conducting developmental and comparative morphological research on various helminths, using morphological and molecular biological methods. He is also a successor to Dr. J. Fujita and works very hard in developing young scientists in his role as president of Veterinary Parasitology Association.
8
31. Suzuki/Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3-11
Fig. 4. Professor Jinkicki Fujita - - An elder scientific advisor in the Japanese Association of Veterinary Parasitologists.
At the present time, the scientific level of veterinary parasitology in Japan has reached highest levels through the efforts of many senior scientists and professors. They also have made contributions to developing young researchers and enhancing the stature of the Veterinary Parasitology Association. These senior researchers are the ones who took initiative in deciding to host the 15th World Conference here in Japan. If Professor H. Itagaki had been in good health, he is one individual who should have been the Chairperson of the LOC of the 15th Conference. On behalf of the Veterinary Parasitology Association in Japan, I would like to express my deep thanks to Professor H. Itagaki and all the other senior parasitologists who determined to have this conference in our country. As I have explained so far, the students of Dr. S. Itagaki, who scattered to various universities and research institutes, continued and expanded his research, and established research on animal helminths as a main theme in Japan. Among them, at the Nippon Veterinary and Zootechnical University, Professors. J. Fujita and Toshio Ishii primarily investigated chicken coccidiosis and toxoplasmosis, Professors S. Imai and Saeki studied rumen protozoa and Babesia infections. These scientists are one of a few groups that
N. Suzuki~ Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3-11
9
still place major emphasis on research of protozoan diseases of domestic animals. Of course, in the western part of Japan, at Osaka Prefectural University, Prof. A. Arakawa and his group have a most active research program on chicken coccidiosis. Other students of Dr. S. Itagaki, Professors J. Yamashita and M. Ohbayashi, at the Veterinary School of Hokkaido University, energetically conducted research on echinococcosis and contributed to establishing diagnostic methods, applicable not only to domestic animals, but also humans. This research was taken over first by Professor Ohbayashi and later by Professors M. Kamiya and Y. Oku. It is one of the outstanding scientific achievements made in Japan. In 1990 at Obihiro University, the Research Center for Protozoan Immunology was founded by the Government, as the only one of its kind at 16 universities of veterinary medicine and science in Japan. The purpose of this research center was the basic research of zoonotic protozoan diseases, using molecular immunological methods, as well as offering scientific cooperation to other countries. The Research Center is equipped with levels l, 2 and 3 safety rooms for zoonotic protozoan infections. The Center has its own quarterly journal publication, The Journal of Protozoology Research. Its publication covers a wide range of research activities and outputs of international scientific cooperation in the fields of protozoology, not only in Japan, but also in developing countries in Asia, South America and Africa, and in Europe and North America. For the period 1995 to 2005, the Research Center initiated on Advanced Study Course of Protozoan Diseases, which is offered to l0 university scientists from each of 10 foreign countries for one year. The research and organisnal emphasis in this course is pathophysiological and molecular research on toxoplasmosis, trypanosomiasis, babesiosis and neosporosis. Professors A. Saito, H. Nagasawa, Y. Omata, I. Igarashi and M. Horiuchi constitute the professional staff of the Research Center studies on the theme mentioned above. Professor H. Hirumi (many of you probably know his name well) was the first in the world to succeed in reproducing a life cycle of Trypanosoma species by using an in vitro cultivation system. He is now conducting experimental research on african trypanosomiasis as a visiting professor invited by the Japanese government. Professor Y. Toyoda and his group are now conducting developmental embryo-engineering research on transgenic a n d / o r targetting knockout animals, and consequently, I am personally expecting very significant results of the comprehensive research conducted by both research groups. There are two primary veterinary parasitology research groups in Japan one of which is largely a university faculty that mainly conducts basic research. The other is a group of researchers at the National Institute for Animal Health who conduct a broad range of basic and applied developmental research. The number of researchers in the latter group is almost the same as that of parasitology researchers at universities and its research facilities are far better than those of the universities. From the time of its foundation up to the present the National Institute has made numerous remarkable achievements in research on the diagnosis, treatment and protective methods of parasitic diseases of domestic animals. In particular, they have succeeded in solving problems of such protozoan diseases as coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis and piroplasmosis, as well as various helminth diseases. Starting with research on toxoplasmosis of animals, Dr. Shingo Ito and his group
10
N. Suzuki / Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3-11
conducted comparative biological research on the life cycles and therapeutic drugs for Toxoplasma, Sarcocystis, Hammondia and Besnoitia of various domestic animals. Needless to say, these achievements made great contributions to stimulating and activating the research on protozoan diseases in our country. Presently, Dr. Shimura and his group have taken over this research work. The research on bovine piroplasmosis, especially in theileriosis, was also mainly conducted at the National Institute. Since 1950, this research has been continued, first by Dr. T. Ishihara, later by Dr. T. Minami and most recently by Dr. K. Fujisaki as the reseach leader. Their research currently ranges widely from isolation and identification, infection response and protective mechanisms, and treatment through new research using advanced biotechnology techniques. It is not too much to say that the research group of the National Institute is a core research group of veterinary protozoan diseases in our country. Since 1987, there have been outbreaks reported of sudden death of unknown cause in group-breeding calves in the southern part of Japan. This brought great financial loss to the stock-raising industry and occurred mainly in the summer. Groups of calves suddenly died without any symptoms in calf-houses for group breeding with saw-dust litter laid on pen floors. In 1991, Dr. N. Taira and his group found out, through extensive investigation, that calves died from severe infection with the nematode parasite Strongyloides papillosus. The exact cause of death because of natural or experimental infections seems not to have been found, but Dr. Taira and his group recognized outbreaks of this sudden death type of Strongyloidisis over most of Japan and therefore emphasized the need for and importance of hygienic control for calves in this management system. Thus, the Ministry of Agriculture and its related research institutes has established a research system combining basic research and applied developmental research, and acts as a center of excellence for present veterinary parasitology research in Japan.
3. Conclusion I have given an outline of the history of veterinary parasitology research and education in Japan, tracing back the main Japanese researchers. Finally, on behalf of the Local Organizing Committee, I would like to summarize some aspects of the 15th Conference in Japan to all the participants. The final numbers of people registered were a total of 291, including accompanying persons. Total number of scientists registered was 261. Among the 261 scientists, 128 registrants were from abroad and the number of participating countries was 38. One hundred and thirty-three persons attended from Japan. The final number of oral presenters was 93, and that of poster presenters was 51 persons. Speakers in nine plenary sessions and 11 workshops are included. I can indicate that plenary papers and workshop summaries will be published in a special issue of Veterinary Parasitology, and will be sent to all scientists registered. A copy will be also sent to all W.A.A.V.P. members, who did not attend the Yokohama Conference. I do hope that participants might expect to receive their copies in the first half of 1996. Special thanks to Pfizer, Inc. for making this possible.
N. Suzuki / Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3-11
11
In the course of this conference, various pending issues have been presented regarding solution of problems of animal parasitic disease. It is hoped that vigorous investigation of these and others will be continued and discussed in future W.A.A.V.P. conference. I'd like to take this opportunity to express my deep and special thanks to all the members of Executive Committee and LOC, and President Dr. Slocombe, for their continuous efforts and valuable advice, and the financial support from many companies.
Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3-11
Research and Education of Veterinary Parasitology in Japan Naoyoshi Suzuki The Research Center for Protozoan Molecular Immunology, Obihiro University, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
1. Introduction Welcome to Yokohama, one of the oldest port cities in Japan. This is the 15th Conference of the W.A.A.V.P., and it is the first time to take place in Asia, as is the World Veterinary Congress, which will be held following this Conference at Yokohama. I would like to take this opportunity to express appreciation to you all for coming all the way to attend this conference. It was the 1967 or 2rid W.A.A.V.P. Conference at Lyon, that I first participated in this conference, and since then I have attended several conferences. I still cannot forget the marvellous conference organized by Lord Soulsby at Cambridge, UK, in 1993. Since having agreed to host this conference, all the members of the Japanese Association of Veterinary Parasitology have worked to prepare for the conference with the valuable suggestions and advice from Dr. Slocombe, President of the W.A.A.V.P. On behalf of the Association, I would like to express my deep and special thanks to him, and all the staff members for their continuous and devoted efforts. The main purpose of this conference is to have high-level scientific discussions, as well as to promote understanding and friendship among the attendants, but in addition to that, I do hope you will have opportunities to come in contact with the oriental culture, especially our traditional Japanese culture. I, and all the staff members of the Local Organizing Committee, would be so happy, if you would thoroughly enjoy your stay here as much as your time allows.
2. History of veterinary parasitology in Japan The history of research and education of Veterinary Parasitology in Japan is a very short period, in fact, it has been only about 100 years since the education system for Veterinary Science was established. The outline of its progress and development is given by focusing on the leading Japanese researchers. 0304-4017/96/$15.00 Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Pll S 0 3 0 4 - 4 0 1 7 ( 9 6 ) 0 0 9 8 9 - 2
4
N. Suzuki/Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3-11
Fig. 1. A Japanese traditional poem with the picture, expressing our welcome to all participants.
The oldest paper reported on research of parasitic diseases in veterinary medicine is the one on bovine schistosomiasis written in Japanese (chinese characters) by Medical Dr. Katayama in 1847. In it, he reported that some cattle had shown similar symptoms to those of human schistosomiasis in an area where infection of Schistosoma japonicum was prevalent among humans. After the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum was found to be Oncomelania nosophora, measures were taken against this disease by establishing diagnostic, treatment and protective methods. As a result, in present-day Japan, new cases of this disease have not been found either in humans or in animals. In the old days, the Japanese use to write sentences from the upper right to the lower right proceeding from the right to the left, using a brush and black ink. As shown in Fig. 1 I want to explain a little bit more about Japanese. Since the end of the 2rid World War in 1945, the Japanese way of writing has been changed. We started to write from the upper left to the upper right, proceeding from top to bottom. Despite this change in the Japanese way of writing in general, some of the writings, such as formal official documents, are still written in the traditional way. On the paperboard with Haiga, which means the picture to go along with the Japanese poem, that has developed together with the Japanese traditional green tea ceremony, I have written a piece of Haiku on which my wife made the picture. Haiku is a Japanese traditional poem, in which one expresses what he or she feels, using only seventeen syllables in principle. The poem in Fig. l reads: "To-o-ku-ka-ra, Hi-no-de-ru-ku-ni-e, A-ri-ga-to-o," as a total of only 17 syllables and it means, "Thank you so much for coming all the way to the eastern country of the rising-sun-Japan."
N. Suzuki~ Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3-11
5
Education and research in Veterinary parasitology in Japan started at Noji-Shu-gakujoh (School of Agriculture) in 1874, which was the forerunner of the University of Tokyo. The Japanese Government, Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, recognizing the need of Veterinary Science Education, invited a Dr. McBride from Edinburgh University, Scotland, for 3 years of service to 1876, and Dr. Jannson from Berlin University, Germany, from 1880 to 1903, as government visiting Professors. At the School of Agriculture, Dr. Jannson taught veterinary internal medicine and parasitology. This practically was the start of research on veterinary parasitic diseases in our country. The bust of Dr. Jannson is placed in praise for his achievements at the front gate of the No.3 Building of the Faculty of Agriculture, the University of Tokyo. The desk and chair which Dr. Jannson had long used, have been well preserved at the Department of Internal Medicine of the University of Tokyo. I once studied, using them, but they are not used any more now. The research on Veterinary Parasitology in Japan started at the School of Agriculture in 1874, and then at the Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine of the University of Tokyo. To this day in 1995, 10 national (Tokyo, Hokkaido, Obihiro, Iwate, Tokyo-Noko, Gifu, Tottori, Yamaguchi, Miyazaki, Kagoshima), one prefectural (Osaka) and 5 private (Rakuno, Kitazato, Azabu, Nihon, Nihon Jui-chikusan) veterinary schools have been established. Research and education in Veterinary Parasitology is also included at other institutions such as the National Institute for Animal Health, belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture. Until the end of the 2nd World War, research also took place at the Veterinary Epidemiology Research Center in Korea. The department of veterinary internal medicine and parasitology of the University of Tokyo was taken over from Dr. Jannson by Professors Katsushima, Itagaki, Okoshi, Tomoda, and at the present time, Professor Hasegawa. Since 1987 when the new department of veterinary clinical pathobiology was established in the veterinary school, I sat as the Chairman and Professor of the department, and the subject of veterinary parasitology shifted to the new department. It is widely recognized among all, that the method of research and education in veterinary parasitology in Japan was established by Professor Shiro Itagaki shown in Fig. 2. He served as Chairman and Professor from 1921 to 1947. Professor S. Itagaki was a leader in founding the Parasitology Division of the Japanese Association of Veterinary Science, and took the initiative in promoting the scientific research level of the Association. Among his numerous scientific achievements, research on the following diseases were most outstanding; canine heartworm disease (caused by Dirofilaria immitis), horse-lumbar paralysis (caused by Setaria digitata), horse-neck threadworm disease (caused by Onchocerca cervicalis), and canine whipworm disease. Moreover, as a matter of fact, many of his disciples are currently and actively promoting education and research in veterinary parasitology in Japan. Until the end of the 2nd World War, scientific papers were commonly written in Japanese and sometimes German or English abstracts were attached to the paper. Dr. S. Itagaki, however, wrote and presented his important papers in English, and thus, tried to exchange opinions and promote understanding with foreign researchers. This attitude was a quite exceptional case for a Japanese scientist at that time. The paper shown in Fig. 3, is the very first and an important report on Anisakiasis, presented in Japan. I
6
N. Suzuki / Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3- I 1
Fig. 2. Professor Shiro ltagaki - - Pioneer and leader of research and education vetinary parasitology in Japan.
believe it is of great significance that, 60 years ago, in a pig's stomach as paratenic host, he found Anisakis larval parasitism, a disease which is similar to human anisakiasis larvae infection, now widely known as one of the parasitic zoonoses. Since 1930, Dr. S. Itagaki had long conducted research on canine heartworm disease with Dr. S. Kume who was a Professor of the Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (Tokyo No-ko University). Later, together with Dr. I. Ohishi, his successor, and Dr. M. Hayasaki, they worked on patho-physiological studies and established diagnostic methods and treatment for this disease. This research is still continued as one of the major themes at their university. During the 2nd World War, from 1940-1945, there were outbreaks of lumbar paralysis in sheep in the Peninsula of Korea, and it became a big problem. Dr. Jinkichi Fujita (shown in Fig. 4), one of the young followers of Dr. S. Itagaki, was sent from the University of Tokyo to the Veterinary Epidemiology Research Center in Korea. This was for the purpose of researching lumbar paralysis and other parasitic infections. Eventually Dr. Fujita found out that sheep lumbar paralysis is caused by the cerebro-spinal migration of Setaria digitata larvae. After returning to Japan, he trained or taught many scientists, first as Director-General of the National Institute for Animal Health, and later as a Professor of Parasitology at Nippon Veterinary and Zootechnical University. Besides that, he also made significant contributions to the development of scientific
N. Suzuki / Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3 - 1 1
7
A NEW L A R V A L NEMATODE (ANISAKINAE) FOUND IN T H E STOMACH O F SWINE. sI [1RO ITAGAKI
itatlaa-~l1.;~*cni~, ~'ul~, .lltl~a.) (P.ee~l for lX~blieatloa~tay o 19~$.)
The parasites de*crived in this paper were offered to me by Mr. Otani, as inspector of the Tokyo slaughterhouse, who, during the winter of 1926, obtained them from the stomach of three siaugittered swine*. The worats, I considered, may be a species of the subgenus Anlsakinae Ruilllel d ~[¢m'y belonging to Ascaroidea, owing to that they have the posterior part of the oesophagus. It is impns~ble, however, to determine whether they belong to Anisakis or Paranlsakis unless the adult worms are discovered. In examining these shree stoma¢l~ of the infested swMes I found that the parasites attached firmly to the mucosa. From the gross appearance of the worms it seemed to be the adults of Physocephalus or Arduenna, but a microscopical examination of the worms revealed they were larvsl staged nematode of a ititherto node*on'heal species. So far as the writer is aware, no case* of this infestation with such larval nematode in swine* have been reported. It may" be therfore, of iFeit interest to report these cases in detail. The parasites were found attached chiefly to the anterior part and rarely other parts of the stomach. The affected stomach showed a feebly inflamed zone surrounding the infested areas and deep lineal ulcers in the mucous membrane from few millimeters to three centimeters long, which were dark red in colour as a result of chronic haemorrhege. Along these long ulcers several openings were seen, through which the worms projected only the caudal ends above the mucous membrane. The infected areas presented small, c i r c ~ h e d elevations on the mucosa and were found to he thickened by cell-infiltrations of the submucosa, but no lesions were found in the muscular layers. Description of the parasites. T h e w o r m s were all in en-
Fig. 3. The very f'wstand important report on Anisakiasis presented in English by Professor S. Itagaki.
research as a president of the Veterinary Parasitology Association. Today, as a scientific advisor, he still gives invaluable advice and consultation to the association. During the period from 1941 to 1945, almost the same period that Dr. Fujita worked in Korea, there were outbreaks of horse-lumbar paralysis in Japan. Through various infection experiments, Professor S. Itagaki and Dr. C. Sho-ho found out that the cause of horse-lumbar paralysis was also caused by the cerebro-spinal migration of Setaria digitata larvae. Even today, there are occasions when Dr. Sho-ho presents the results of his research on Setaria. I believe his epidemiological research on Setaria is highly acclaimed world-wide. Professor S. Itagaki not only made brilliant achievements as a scientist of parasitology, but he also, as president of Azabu University, made great contributions to the establishment and development of the educational system of veterinary science in Japan. His strong will regarding research in veterinary parasitology was continued by his son, Professor Hiroshi Itagaki. Dr. H. Itagaki is a Professor of Parasitology at the Veterinary School of Azabu University, and is conducting developmental and comparative morphological research on various helminths, using morphological and molecular biological methods. He is also a successor to Dr. J. Fujita and works very hard in developing young scientists in his role as president of Veterinary Parasitology Association.
8
31. Suzuki/Veterinary Parasitology 64 (1996) 3-11
Fig. 4. Professor Jinkicki Fujita - - An elder scientific advisor in the Japanese Association of Veterinary Parasitologists.
At the present time, the scientific level of veterinary parasitology in Japan has reached highest levels through the efforts of many senior scientists and professors. They also have made contributions to developing young researchers and enhancing the stature of the Veterinary Parasitology Association. These senior researchers are the ones who took initiative in deciding to host the 15th World Conference here in Japan. If Professor H. Itagaki had been in good health, he is one individual who should have been the Chairperson of the LOC of the 15th Conference. On behalf of the Veterinary Parasitology Association in Japan, I would like to express my deep thanks to Professor H. Itagaki and all the other senior parasitologists who determined to have this conference in our country. As I have explained so far, the students of Dr. S. Itagaki, who scattered to various universities and research institutes, continued and expanded his research, and established research on animal helminths as a main theme in Japan. Among them, at the Nippon Veterinary and Zootechnical University, Professors. J. Fujita and Toshio Ishii primarily investigated chicken coccidiosis and toxoplasmosis, Professors S. Imai and Saeki studied rumen protozoa and Babesia infections. These scientists are one of a few groups that
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still place major emphasis on research of protozoan diseases of domestic animals. Of course, in the western part of Japan, at Osaka Prefectural University, Prof. A. Arakawa and his group have a most active research program on chicken coccidiosis. Other students of Dr. S. Itagaki, Professors J. Yamashita and M. Ohbayashi, at the Veterinary School of Hokkaido University, energetically conducted research on echinococcosis and contributed to establishing diagnostic methods, applicable not only to domestic animals, but also humans. This research was taken over first by Professor Ohbayashi and later by Professors M. Kamiya and Y. Oku. It is one of the outstanding scientific achievements made in Japan. In 1990 at Obihiro University, the Research Center for Protozoan Immunology was founded by the Government, as the only one of its kind at 16 universities of veterinary medicine and science in Japan. The purpose of this research center was the basic research of zoonotic protozoan diseases, using molecular immunological methods, as well as offering scientific cooperation to other countries. The Research Center is equipped with levels l, 2 and 3 safety rooms for zoonotic protozoan infections. The Center has its own quarterly journal publication, The Journal of Protozoology Research. Its publication covers a wide range of research activities and outputs of international scientific cooperation in the fields of protozoology, not only in Japan, but also in developing countries in Asia, South America and Africa, and in Europe and North America. For the period 1995 to 2005, the Research Center initiated on Advanced Study Course of Protozoan Diseases, which is offered to l0 university scientists from each of 10 foreign countries for one year. The research and organisnal emphasis in this course is pathophysiological and molecular research on toxoplasmosis, trypanosomiasis, babesiosis and neosporosis. Professors A. Saito, H. Nagasawa, Y. Omata, I. Igarashi and M. Horiuchi constitute the professional staff of the Research Center studies on the theme mentioned above. Professor H. Hirumi (many of you probably know his name well) was the first in the world to succeed in reproducing a life cycle of Trypanosoma species by using an in vitro cultivation system. He is now conducting experimental research on african trypanosomiasis as a visiting professor invited by the Japanese government. Professor Y. Toyoda and his group are now conducting developmental embryo-engineering research on transgenic a n d / o r targetting knockout animals, and consequently, I am personally expecting very significant results of the comprehensive research conducted by both research groups. There are two primary veterinary parasitology research groups in Japan one of which is largely a university faculty that mainly conducts basic research. The other is a group of researchers at the National Institute for Animal Health who conduct a broad range of basic and applied developmental research. The number of researchers in the latter group is almost the same as that of parasitology researchers at universities and its research facilities are far better than those of the universities. From the time of its foundation up to the present the National Institute has made numerous remarkable achievements in research on the diagnosis, treatment and protective methods of parasitic diseases of domestic animals. In particular, they have succeeded in solving problems of such protozoan diseases as coccidiosis, toxoplasmosis and piroplasmosis, as well as various helminth diseases. Starting with research on toxoplasmosis of animals, Dr. Shingo Ito and his group
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conducted comparative biological research on the life cycles and therapeutic drugs for Toxoplasma, Sarcocystis, Hammondia and Besnoitia of various domestic animals. Needless to say, these achievements made great contributions to stimulating and activating the research on protozoan diseases in our country. Presently, Dr. Shimura and his group have taken over this research work. The research on bovine piroplasmosis, especially in theileriosis, was also mainly conducted at the National Institute. Since 1950, this research has been continued, first by Dr. T. Ishihara, later by Dr. T. Minami and most recently by Dr. K. Fujisaki as the reseach leader. Their research currently ranges widely from isolation and identification, infection response and protective mechanisms, and treatment through new research using advanced biotechnology techniques. It is not too much to say that the research group of the National Institute is a core research group of veterinary protozoan diseases in our country. Since 1987, there have been outbreaks reported of sudden death of unknown cause in group-breeding calves in the southern part of Japan. This brought great financial loss to the stock-raising industry and occurred mainly in the summer. Groups of calves suddenly died without any symptoms in calf-houses for group breeding with saw-dust litter laid on pen floors. In 1991, Dr. N. Taira and his group found out, through extensive investigation, that calves died from severe infection with the nematode parasite Strongyloides papillosus. The exact cause of death because of natural or experimental infections seems not to have been found, but Dr. Taira and his group recognized outbreaks of this sudden death type of Strongyloidisis over most of Japan and therefore emphasized the need for and importance of hygienic control for calves in this management system. Thus, the Ministry of Agriculture and its related research institutes has established a research system combining basic research and applied developmental research, and acts as a center of excellence for present veterinary parasitology research in Japan.
3. Conclusion I have given an outline of the history of veterinary parasitology research and education in Japan, tracing back the main Japanese researchers. Finally, on behalf of the Local Organizing Committee, I would like to summarize some aspects of the 15th Conference in Japan to all the participants. The final numbers of people registered were a total of 291, including accompanying persons. Total number of scientists registered was 261. Among the 261 scientists, 128 registrants were from abroad and the number of participating countries was 38. One hundred and thirty-three persons attended from Japan. The final number of oral presenters was 93, and that of poster presenters was 51 persons. Speakers in nine plenary sessions and 11 workshops are included. I can indicate that plenary papers and workshop summaries will be published in a special issue of Veterinary Parasitology, and will be sent to all scientists registered. A copy will be also sent to all W.A.A.V.P. members, who did not attend the Yokohama Conference. I do hope that participants might expect to receive their copies in the first half of 1996. Special thanks to Pfizer, Inc. for making this possible.
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In the course of this conference, various pending issues have been presented regarding solution of problems of animal parasitic disease. It is hoped that vigorous investigation of these and others will be continued and discussed in future W.A.A.V.P. conference. I'd like to take this opportunity to express my deep and special thanks to all the members of Executive Committee and LOC, and President Dr. Slocombe, for their continuous efforts and valuable advice, and the financial support from many companies.