Determine the clinical and epidemiological features of strongyloidosis in southern of Russia

Abstract

Purpose: Strongyloides stercoralis is widespread geohelminth in the territories with tropical and subtropical climates which rarely recorded in some regions of Russia. The aim of the study to determine the clinical and epidemiological features of strongyloidosis in southern of Russia Methods & Materials: We analyzed 966 medical records of patients in the clinic of infectious and parasitic diseases during 2003 to 2019. The diagnosis of strongyloidosis was established in 44 patients by detection of larvae with a five-fold study of feces by enrichment methods. Results: The analysis of medical records showed that more than 50% of patients were over 60 years old. Intestinal strongyloidosis was detected also in 2 children - 9 and 12 years old. Women were dominated - 63.6%. According to epidemiological data, 24 cases of strongyloidosis were classified as autochthonous, 20 - as imported from Africa and Southeast Asia. 20 patients with autochthonous strongyloidosis were observed for a long time (from 5 to 20 years) and received treatment for various allergic and systemic diseases. The main reasons for examination were: eosinophilia (35%), anemia of unknown etiology (23%), dyspeptic disorders (26.9%), dermatitis (23%). In a single study of feces by the Berman method, larvae of Strongyloides were found in 53.8% patients, in a double study - in 92.3%, and only in 1 patient larvae were found in the third study of feces. At a high intensity of invasion (8 or more larvae in the field of view), parasites were found in the native smear, in the study of feces by methods of ether-formalin sedimentation and flotation.Blood eosinophilia (from 10 to 62%) was observed in 81.8% of patients, anemia - in 13.6%, thrombocytopenia - in one patient (103 × 109). In a coprological study, 95.5% of patients showed a significant amount of muscle fibers, plant fiber, as well as a high content of neutral fat, fatty acids, saponified fats and starch. Conclusion: The conditions for the implementation of the biological cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis exist in the Southern Russia, located mainly in the temperate climate zone. The most effective and accessible method for diagnosing invasion is Berman's method.