Pilot experiments in the control of bancroftian filariasis in Japan and Ryukyu.

In this paper the author reviews the literature on the distribution and epidemiology of filariasis in Japan and discusses the extensive programme of research on the disease that is at present being carried out there. As part of this programme, comparative pilot experiments were started in 1958, in several areas of differing filariasis endemicity, with the object of determining the most effective and economical methods for preventing and treating the disease. The results so far obtained from these pilot experiments, which are still in progress, suggest that a close approach to the eradication of filariasis from the endemic areas could be reached through the administration of diethylcarbamazine at a suitable dosage to microfilaria carriers and the simultaneous application of control measures against the vector mosquitos.