Kekkaku : [Tuberculosis]
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Chest X-ray examination had been used rather soon after the discovery of X-ray by Rontgen K in 1895 as it was possible to detect chest abnormality by simple radiography. After the discovery of radiophotography independently by Abreu M and Koga Y in 1936, it was applied as a method of mass screening for TB in Japan, and Imamura A made a special lecture on "The mass screening for TB" using radiophotography in 1940 in the Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for TB. From experiences of mass screening, it was found that there were many cases of TB who do not aware of their own disease, and to know the prevalence of TB, the screening of survey subjects by X-ray examination is indispensable. ⋯ In the age groups above 40, the prevalence of any TB finding, as well as of healed and calcified findings was very high, while the coverage of BCG vaccination was below 20%. BCG vaccination was started in Japan in 1943, and those above 40 years of age in 1963 were then already 20 years of age or above, and only few were vaccinated with BCG when BCG vaccination was expanded to cover higher age groups thereafter. TB prevalence survey has now come to be used as one of methods to estimate the incidence of TB under the impact of HIV/AIDS epidemic, and its significance is now re-evaluated.
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Tuberculosis is a global problem that we can't afford to keep ignoring. In 2006, tuberculosis killed 1.7 million people--almost twice as many people as malaria--and it is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV/AIDS. This is all the more tragic because these deaths are preventable. ⋯ An untapped market of two billion people carries the tuberculosis bacterium. Since tuberculosis requires a comprehensive approach, companies should also explore opportunities to work together and pool complementary technologies to ensure new tools are used most effectively. Japan is poised to play a leading role in the discovery, development and delivery of tuberculosis solutions in the 21st century.