Comparison of serine-rich protein genes of Entamoeba histolytica isolates obtained from institutions for the mentally retarded in Kanagawa and Shizuoka Prefectures, Japan.

In Japan, amebiasis has been observed in homosexual men, in institutionalized persons, and in overseas travelers. We have previously reported an outbreak of amebiasis that occurred from 1986 to 1994 in institutions for the mentally retarded in Kanagawa and Shizuoka Prefectures in Eastern Japan. Entamoeba histolytica but not Entamoeba dispar was identified in Entamoeba cultures obtained from cyst passers in four institutions located in different municipalities in this region.

Pulmonary paragonimiasis misdiagnosed as tuberculosis: with special references on paragonimiasis.

The diagnosis of tuberculosis by X-ray radiogram is often confused with pulmonary carcinoma, bacillary and parasitic infections, and chronic mycosis. A case of pulmonary paragonimiasis misdiagnosed as tuberculosis by X-ray radiogram is reported. With this case, the smears of sputum were rechecked by an inspection technician's discernment, and Paragonimus eggs along with numerous eosinophils and Charcot-Leyden crystals were detected.

Outbreak of tuberculosis in a 2000-year-old Chinese population.

The molecular identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in ancient human remains has been achieved mainly in mummies with macroscopic changes but not in the skeletons without bone tuberculosis. Using polymerase chain reaction studies, we identified mycobacterial DNA in 2000-year-old human skeletons without pathological changes. Our findings suggest that these people suffered from an outbreak of tuberculosis.