Patient Consultation in the Department of Immunology and Medical Zoology at St. Marianna University School of Medicine between 2001–2019 with an Interest in Parasitic Diseases in Japan

Objective We aimed to summarise recent epidemiological findings regarding parasitic diseases and other animal-derived diseases based on our studies in Kawasaki City with a reference to other areas in Japan.Methods We conducted a retrospective survey of animal-derived diseases reported between 2001–2019 in the Department of Immunology and Medical Zoology of St. Marianna University School of Medicine.Results Thirty-two patients were referred to our department from neighboring hospitals for evaluation and consultation regarding suspicious parasitic diseases and other animal-derived diseases. Twenty patients were diagnosed as having parasitic disease or some other animal-derived disease. Twelve patients remained undiagnosed despite detailed examination of their clinical samples. Among the 20 patients with parasitic disease, six and four patients were diagnosed with diphyllobothriasis and anisakiasis, respectively. Tick bites without obvious microbial infection were found in two cases.Conclusion We found that parasitic diseases reported over the past two decades were mostly of helminthic origins and food-borne. Although the number of cases was small, we identified two cases of tick bites in Kawasaki City. Therefore, careful attention should be paid to the emergence of severe tick-borne diseases even in urban areas.