Parasitic infections in foreigners living in Japan: estimation of parasitic infection history by serum antibody screening.

We recently surveyed parasitic infections in 334 foreigners living as permanent residents in Japan. The survey results are presented herein. Our results highlight open issues in Japan, with reference to measures taken in Western countries where immigrants have long been accepted. In addition, we present our epidemiological method for investigating parasitic infection, making use of simple and valid large-scale screening. Among the foreigners participating in this survey, parasitic infections other than those in toxoplasmosis antibody positive individuals were rare. However, in view of the recent trend for increased total numbers of foreigners living in Japan, the onset of parasitic infections is anticipated to increase in Japan henceforth.