NECESSITY TO IMPROVE THE EMERGENCY DIAGNOSTICS OF TICK-BORNE INFECTIONS IN PEOPLE BITTEN BY IXODID TICKS ABROAD OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Abstract

Introduction. Annually, there are several patients attended the Center for Diagnosis and Prevention of Tick-borne Infections in Irkutsk after bites of ticks that happened outside the Pribaikalye region or abroad. In such cases, the attacking ticks do not belong to convenient species that are usual for Eastern Siberia. Consequently, the spectrum of pathogenic microorganisms transmitted by these ticks may significantly differ from those that are detected by usual laboratory tests. Thus, both physicians and laboratory personnel may have difficulties in proper detection and identification of pathogens as well as in diagnosing and treating of such patients.The purpose of the study was the analysis of potential risks of human infection with the pathogens that are common in foreign countries outside the Russian Federation.Material and methods. The article uses information from electronic databases created by the authors during 2007-2017.Results and discussion. During 11 years of observations, 52 tick bites were registered in 20 countries, with 48 of them in the Eastern Hemisphere (92.3 %), three (5.8 %) in the United States and one (1.9 %) in the Republic of Cuba. The results indicate a real danger of infection by tick-borne pathogens of people traveling as the tourists and with business purposes to the countries of Europe, Asia and America. Conclusion. It is necessary to improve the existing algorithm for diagnosis, prevention and treatment for people bitten by ixodid ticks outside the Russian Federation, taking into account the possibility of infection by inconvenient imported infections.

Keywords

• ixodid ticks
• vectors
• natural foci infections
• imported infections