Abstract: AIM:In order to understand the characteristics of various isolates of Schistosoma
japonicum in China,restriction fragment length polymorphism of DNA(RFLP) of these worm isolates
were analyzed and compared with S.japonicum from Yamanashi of Japan. METHODS:PSM889was used as
probe to hybridize the genomic DNA of male worms from 9different localities ie.Yunan (Y) ,Sichun
(S) ,Guangxi (G) ,Hubei (B) ,Hunan (N) , Jiangxi(J) ,Anhui(A) ,Taiwan(T) of China and Yamanashi
of Japan(JP) .RESULTS: The 4 major bands of hybridization of DNA digested by EcoR1 were basically the same among the localities from the mainland of China, while their minor bands showed some differences. However, the DNA hybridization pattern of S. japonicum from Taiwan and Yamanashi of Japan not only numerically differed in minor bands but also in major bands. There were 3 major bands for isolate from Taiwan and 5 major bands for isolate from Yamanashi, Japan. CONCLUSION: There are genitic variations among various isolates of S.japonicum in China and that in Yamanashi, J pan, and the degree of genetic variation is more obvious for isolate from Taiwan than that in other provinces

Key words: Schistosoma japonicum, isolate, DNA, RFLP