title: A cooperative study of sarcoidosis in Asia and Africa: analytic epidemiology.
abstract: The characteristics of about 2,000 Japanese sarcoidosis cases collected by the Japan Sarcoidosis Committee during the 10-yr period, 1963-1972, were chronological increase with decreasing infectious diseases (represented by tuberculosis), north-to-south decline in sarcoidosis incidence in accordance with the Oxford Atlas Seasonal Climates, the age of cases shifting to the younger group in areas of high incidence, a local outbreak, and familial aggreagations. These results led the authors to an hypothesis that sarcoidosis is a disease induced by an infective agent or agents, prevalent in cold places, becoming influential in association with ecological changes, and affecting persons with predispositions.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001208:Asia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002980:Climate; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens