Human strongyloidiasis is a parasitic infection induced by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis which can cause gastrointestinal disturbances. It is believed to be a zoonosis with a potential for cross infection between humans and dogs. The aim of this work was to study this cross infection. Epidemiological surveys of human intestinal parasites were carried out using direct smears and cultures in the Amami Islands during the summer season from 2003 to 2008. Stools were collected from people and dogs inhabiting the Amami Islands, I.e., Kikai, Amami, Kakeroma, Uke, Yoro and Okinoerabu, Japan. It was confirmed that the infective ratio of Strongyloides was 2.8% of 660 residents studied and 10.0% of their 55 dogs. The owners who had parasite-carrier dogs were not found to have parasites, and, conversely the dogs who were kept by owners having parasites were free of parasites. The epidemiological results of the present study demonstrate that natural infection of Strongyloides does not occur between humans and dogs.

Objective: Repeated guidance through specific health guidance (SHG), a service that provides health advice to high-risk individuals for specific health examinations, may be affected by examinees’ mental health status. However, the association between repeated SHG sessions and mental health remains unclear.Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 123 men and women who underwent specific health checkups at Jiaikai Izuro Imamura Hospital between April 13, 2021 and April 13, 2022 after receiving SHG in the previous year. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess burnout, resilience, and lifestyle-related factors such as weight change and the amount of alcohol consumed. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for repeated SHG were estimated using stepwise multiple logistic and mediation analyses.Results: The results showed that repeated SHG was significantly associated with weight gain ≥10 kg from the age of 20 years (OR=4.41, 95% CI 1.74–11.20) and burnout subscale of cynicism (OR=4.18, 95% CI 1.31–13.33).Conclusion: Weight loss guidance could be an effective component of SHG. Additionally, individuals who are repeatedly provided with SHG experience a mental health burden. Furthermore, interventions to reduce cynicism may be necessary to prevent the need for repeated SHG.