Polish and American collaboration on zoonotic parasitic studies, 1960 to 1997

The Marshall Plan of 1947 kindled interest in research in Europe. The U.S. Public Health Service encouraged the use of blocked national currencies to research disease problems. The parasitic diseases were epidemic/epizootic problems in Poland. The initial project was trichinellosis. The 10-year study emphasized the natural history, epidemiology, diagnosis, and therapy of trichinellosis in Poland. The wildlife source of trichinellosis was widespread. Clinical studies discounted the effectiveness of mebendazole but found steroids useful. Taenia saginata is common in Eastern Europe. T. saginata cystericosis in cattle is not easily diagnosed. Physical examination by meat inspectors missed 50% of the infected carcasses. Taenia solium is uncommon. Giardiasis is declining in Poland. The epidemiology of giardiasis in Poland is different from that in the United States, where water-borne infections are common. A study of toxoplasmosis revealed a low prevalence in women but a high prevalence in cats. No cases were identified in 4,311 newborns.