The current status of neglected tropical diseases in Japan: A scoping review

Abstract

Little attention has been paid to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in high-income countriesand no literature provides an overview of NTDs in Japan. This scoping review aims tosynthesize the latest evidence and information to understand epidemiology of and publichealth response to NTDs in Japan. Using three academic databases, we retrieved articlesthat mentioned NTDs in Japan, written in English or Japanese, and published between 2010and 2020. Websites of key public health institutions and medical societies were alsoexplored. From these sources of information, we extracted data that were relevant toanswering our research questions. Our findings revealed the transmission of alveolar echinococcosis,Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, dengue, foodborne trematodiases, mycetoma,scabies, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis as well as occurrence of snakebites withinJapan. Other NTDs, such as chikungunya, cystic echinococcosis, cysticercosis, leishmaniasis,leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, rabies, and schistosomiasis, have been imported into thecountry. Government agencies tend to organize surveillance and control programs only forthe NTDs targeted by the Infectious Disease Control Law, namely, echinococcosis, rabies,dengue, and chikungunya. At least one laboratory offers diagnostic testing for each NTDexcept for dracunculiasis, human African trypanosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and yaws. Nomedicine is approved for treatment of Chagas disease and fascioliasis and only off-labeluse drugs are available for cysticercosis, opisthorchiasis, human African trypanosomiasis,onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, and yaws. Based on these findings, we developed disease-specific recommendations. In addition, three policy issues are discussed, such as lackof legal frameworks to organize responses to some NTDs, overreliance on researchers toprocure some NTD products, and unaffordability of unapproved NTD medicines. Japanshould recognize the presence of NTDs within the country and need to address them as a national effort. The implications of our findings extend beyond Japan, emphasizing the needto study, recognize, and address NTDs even in high-income countries.