History of the Department

History of the Department of Parasitology

The Department of Parasitology at Keio University School of Medicine is the oldest department of parasitology in Japan, having been established in 1920 (Taisho 9). The historic building of the School of Preventive Medicine (pictured top right), which is still used for student education and research, was built in 1929 (Showa 4).

In the future, half of the research space for the Department of Infectious Diseases will remain in the School of Preventive Medicine building, while the other half will move to the 2nd floor of the Institute of Medical Science Building, where activities will continue.

Our Journey So Far

1920 (Taisho 9): Professor Mikinosuke Miyajima
  • The parasitology section was established within the Department of Pathology and Bacteriology(The oldest parasitology department in Japan)
1924 (Taisho 13): Professor Makoto Koizumi

The School of Preventive Medicine
(A culturally significant building)

  • 1929 (Showa 4):
    Moved to the School of Preventive Medicine building
  • 1937 (Showa 12):
    Became the Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine
  • 1945 (Showa 20):
    Evacuated to Oishida, Yamagata Prefecture
  • 1947 (Showa 22):
    Moved to Mitaka
1948 (Showa 23): Professor Hisakichi Matsubayashi
  • 1954 (Showa 29):
    Returned to the School of Preventive Medicine building
1973 (Showa 48): Professor Keizo Asami
1986 (Showa 61): Professor Tsutomu Takeuchi
  • Renamed the Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology
2013 (Heisei 25): Professor Satoshi Iwata

The Institute of
Medical Science Building

  • Became the Department of Infectious Diseases
    The School of Preventive Medicine building and the Institute of Medical Science Building
2019 (Reiwa 1): Professor Naoki Hasegawa

Research Themes of the Department of Parasitology

The research themes of past professors have been summarized. By looking at these themes, we can observe the transitions in modernization over time. Furthermore, although some diseases have become less prevalent in Japan, they remain important.

Main Research Themes of Past Professors

Professors Mikinosuke Miyajima and Makoto Koizumi

  • Experimental infection of Ascaris (by the Nouno brothers)
  • Physiological and biochemical studies on Ascaris
  • Tropical diseases (Amoebic dysentery, malaria)

Professor Hisakichi Matsubayashi

  • Entamoeba histolytica: Influence of coexisting bacteria, pathogenicity
  • Malaria
  • Detection of Toxoplasma
    (First report of human toxoplasmosis)

Professor Keizo Asami

  • Trichomonas vaginalis: Axenic culture (Asami medium)
  • Entamoeba histolytica: Axenic culture, biochemical studies
  • Toxoplasma: Energy metabolism, protein synthesis
  • First report of anisakiasis in Japan
  • Medical cooperation with the Tropical Disease Institute at Pernambuco University (Brazil)

Professor Tsutomu Takeuchi

  • Entamoeba histolytica
  • Toxoplasma
  • Schistosomiasis
  • Malaria
  • Chagas disease
  • Global security

Professor Satoshi Iwata

  • General pediatric infectious diseases
  • Pneumococcal infections
  • Vaccines
  • Infection control science