Abstract

Purpose: In this review, I report a study of schistosomiasis japonica that focused on some important issues, such as life cycles, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and schistosomiasis japonica control. Main results: Schistosomiasis japonica occurs in China, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The life cycle of Sulawesi schistosomiasis japonica requires two intermediate hosts: O. lorelindoensis snails (formerly Oncomelania hupensis lindoensis) and definite hosts. Definite hosts include mammals and nonmammals. The disease occurs in the Bada Valley, the Lindu Valley, and the Napu Valley. It may have also prevailed in other areas, such as the Lariang River, the Palu River, and the Salo Karangan River (formerly the Lariang River in the Bada Valley). Clinical manifestations include Katayama syndrome and chronic manifestations. Many methods are available for detecting schistosomiasis. These may include the Kato-Katz, dot-blot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dot-blot ELISA), soluble egg antigen and indirect hemagglutination assay (SjSEAIHA). (Ar)praziquantel are drugs that can be helpful for the treatment of Sulawesi schistosomiasis japonica. Several drug candidates have been studied such as garlic extracts. In addition, in the future, genetic manipulation techniques on the intermediate host can be useful for eliminating the parasite. Vaccine candidates include Schistosoma japonicum acetylcholinesterace (SjAChE) and Schistosoma japonicum insulin receptor 1 (rSjLD1).Vaccines can be potential approaches for eliminating the disease. Conclusion: The Kato-Katz technique, dot-blot ELISA, and SjSEA-IHA are methods for detecting schistosomiasis japonica. Sulawesi schistosomiasis japonica may have prevailed in new areas such as the Lariang River and the Salo Karangan River. Treatment, diagnosis, and, in the future, vaccines may be helpful approaches for eliminating Sulawesi schistosomiasis japonica.

Key words: Oncomelania lorelindoensis, Elimination, Epidemiology of schistosomiasis, Praziquantel, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosomiasis japonica, Transmission of schistosoma japonicum