Kitasato Shibasaburō

Lore & Background

The source states that the Japanese government sent Kitasato Shibasaburō to investigate the plague in Hong Kong. On 5 June, Kitasato departed Yokohama on SS City of Rio de Janeiro with a team of 5, arriving in Hong Kong on 12 June. On 14 June, Kitasato discovered that the bacillus, now known as Yersinia pestis, was the direct cause of the plague. However, he was doubtful of its significance as the autopsy was done 11 hours after death. His finding was reported by James Alfred Lowson to The Lancet, and his report was published a week later, on 25 August. The source notes that Kitasato's description lacked precision, and the report was riddled with doubts and confusion. Kitasato insisted that his organism was Gram-positive, while Yersin correctly described his as Gram-negative. Kitasato described his blood organism as diplococcal and his bubo organism as bacillary, causing confusion and suggesting to some that his cultures were contaminated by the pneumococcus. In the ensuing months and years, Kitasato asserted that his bacillus was different from that of Yersin. The source does not provide details on Kitasato's early life, education, or other career achievements.

Reader's Guide

Kitasato Shibasaburō's significance lies in his co-discovery of the bubonic plague bacillus in Hong Kong in 1894. He arrived on 12 June and discovered the bacillus on 14 June, three days before Yersin's arrival. However, his findings were marked by confusion: he described his organism as Gram-positive, while Yersin correctly identified it as Gram-negative. Kitasato also described his blood organism as diplococcal and his bubo organism as bacillary, leading to suggestions of contamination by pneumococcus. Despite these issues, Kitasato's report was published in The Lancet on 25 August 1894. The source does not cover his work on tetanus, diphtheria, or his later career in Japan.

Did You Know?

• Kitasato Shibasaburō departed Yokohama on 5 June 1894 on the SS City of Rio de Janeiro with a team of 5 to investigate the plague in Hong Kong.
• He discovered the plague bacillus on 14 June 1894, three days before Alexandre Yersin arrived in Hong Kong.
• Kitasato's initial report was published in The Lancet on 25 August 1894, just a week after his finding.
• Kitasato insisted his organism was Gram-positive, while Yersin correctly described his as Gram-negative.
• Kitasato described his blood organism as diplococcal and his bubo organism as bacillary, causing confusion and suggesting possible contamination by pneumococcus.