Department of Parasitology
Infectious diseases are still a huge menace to human health and continue unabated in tropical areas under the conditions of poverty and the unique natural and social environments. Various kinds of parasites infect humans for long periods of time without killing them, giving rise to tremendous social and/or economic loss. We would like to develop deep insight into parasitic diseases and the surrounding factors from various points of view through both field and laboratory studies. Our goal is to contribute to new knowledge and to provide an enthusiastic environment for the training of the future generation of investigators.
Members
- Professor Shinjiro Hamano
- Assistant Professor Yoshinori Mitsui
- Assistant Professor Kentaro Kato
- Assistant Professor Keishi Adachi
- Graduate Student Chikako Shimokawa
- Graduate Student Shumpei Kambe
- Graduate Student Yombo Dan Justin Kalenda
- Graduate Student Sachiyo Nagi
- Graduate Student Ken-ichi Nobusue
- Technologist Kyoko Masuda
- Assistant Masako Hayashida
- Assistant Tomoko Takaya
- Assistant Megumi Hamasaki
To the Site of our department »
Activities
We have been carrying out both field and laboratory studies on several of the most important helminthic diseases, including schistosomiasis, filariasis and intestinal helminthiasis and on important but neglected protozoan diseases such as amoebiasis, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis.
1) Schistosomiasis and Filariasis
Since 1981, the research project on Schisto-soma haematobium has been carried out in Kwale, Kenya, in cooperation with Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Last year, we started a new research project on parasitic diseases in Mbita and Kwale, Kenya. In the laboratory, we have been maintained Schistosoma. mansoni and intermediate snails and are trying to elucidate immune responses as well as to develop sensitive and specific diagnostic methods through the study on the unique molecules belonging to Schistosoma spp.
A research project on filariasis was also carried out in Mbita and Kwale, Kenya, in cooperation with KEMRI. In order to contribute to "Filaria Elimination Program" by WHO, we collaborate with Aichi Medical College. In the laboratory, Brugia malayi, B. pahangi and the vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti have been maintained for many years.
2) Amoebiasis, Leishmaniasis, Trypanosomiasis etc.
Genetic epidemiology and cohort studies on amoebiasis and leishmaniasis are carried out in cooperation with the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B.) and the University of Virginia. Field sites include Dhaka and rural areas of Bangladesh. In addition to genetic factors, we aim to elucidate various environmental factors that determine and/or influence the outcome and transmission of the infection. In the laboratory, we study host defense mechanisms against Leishmania major, L. donovani, Trypanosoma cruzi, and T. congolense, and in the process, have elucidated the function of the IL-12 cytokine family such as IL-27/WSX-1 during infection. After we developed animal models of intestinal amoebiasis together with Prof. Houpt at University of Virginia, we are now devoting ourselves to the study on pathogenicity of Entamoeba histolytica, E moshkovskii and host defense mechanisms to Entamoeba spp.
Cohort study using HDSS on infectious diseases in Mbita (the eastern lakefront of Lake Victoria) and Kwale area
We will start cohort study of infectious diseases in Mbita and Kwale area using HDSS (Health and Demographic Surveillance System) as the collaboration with Department of Eco-epidemiology. Last year, the feasible studies on shistosomiasis, other helminthic and protozoan infections, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and so on were carried out.
