Avian schistosomiasis (paddy field dermatitis) in a rural city of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Matsumura, T.; Sawayama, T.; Nagata, K.; Mizuno, F.; Araki, K.; Iwamura, N.; Suzuki, N.; Matsumura, T; Sawayama, T; Nagata, K; Mizuno, F; Araki, K; Iwamura, N; Suzuki, N

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Avian schistosomiasis (paddy field dermatitis) in a rural city of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Matsumura, T.; Sawayama, T.; Nagata, K.; Mizuno, F.; Araki, K.; Iwamura, N.; Suzuki, N.

Kobe Journal of Medical Sciences 29(5): 161-169

1983

ISSN/ISBN: 0023-2513

PMID: 6668897

Document Number: 202392

A dermatitis of unknown etiology occurred among 60 residents working in paddy fields in a rural district of Hyogo Prefecture, located on the Seto inland sea (Takasago City) [Japan]. The dermatitis occurred from about June, 1981-Aug. 1981 after rice-planting and weedling were done, it was characterized by erythematopapulovesicular eruptions with severe itching, usually within 5-15 days. The chief complaints and symptoms were seen on the body parts exposed to paddy field water, especially the back of the hands, fingers, wrist and the lower parts of the legs. Questionnaires clinical observations and seroepidemiological survey using the indirect fluorescent antibody method with Schistosoma mansoni cercariae as an antigen, showed that the dermatitis was due to the invasion of cercariae of an avian schistosome. A surveillance for the snail intermediate hosts was performed in the fields where the dermatitis occurred. The cercaria collected from Polypylis hemisphaerula was identified as Gigantobilharzia sturniae, which had caused the dermatitis.