Skin test study of Bancroftian filariasis in Kuroshima Island, Okinawa: a 13-year longitudinal study during a control campaign.
A longitudinal study was performed in an island, endemic for Bancroftian filariasis, by blood survey and skin test from the beginning of a filariasis control campaign in 1967 through 1980. The initial microfilarial rate of 13.2% was successfully reduced to almost 0 by 1970, by the selective administration of diethylcarbamazine to microfilaria positives. The age distribution of skin-test positivity changed year by year, especially in the younger age groups. A marked reduction was seen in the positive rate in the 0- to 9- and 10- to 19-year-old age groups. The change of skin reactivity for all islanders was evaluated, and revealed a gradual decrease in the wheal-size over the observation period.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005368:Filariasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012882:Skin Tests; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti
D004049:Diethylcarbamazine