Clinical and epidemiological aspects of Ascariasis in children in the Astrakhan region

• Main Authors: R. S. Arakelyan, V. A. Irdeeva, S. A. Shemetova, L. M. Abrosimova, G. L. Shendo, G. A. Karpenko
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: LLC "Diagnostics and Vaccines" 2020-09-01
• Series: Detskie Infekcii (Moskva)
• Subjects: ascariasis; nausea; onychophagia; non-compliance with personal hygiene rules; unwashed fruits and vegetables; albendazole; pirantel
• Online Access: https://detinf.elpub.ru/jour/article/view/527

The purpose of the study: to analyze the clinical and epidemiological condition of children infected with ascariids in 2015—201 9 on the territory of the Astrakhan region. Materials and methods. During the analyzed period, 87 cases of ascariasis in children were registered in the Astrakhan region. We observed 23 children (26.4%) diagnosed with Ascariasis.Research result. The age of children whose eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides were found in the biomaterial ranged from 1 to 17 years, and in the age groups of children (schoolchildren — preschoolers), cases of ascariasis were recorded almost equally.Clinically, the disease occurred in the form of complaints of children — 65.2% (п = 15) for pain in the epigastric region — 34.8% (п = 8), nausea, vomiting, cough and poor appetite — 20.0% (п = 3), liquid stool and fever to subfebrile numbers — 1 3.3% (п = 2). In isolated cases, children complained of teeth grinding at night, frequent fatigue and headache-6.7% (п = 1). Complaints about the exit of the parasite at the time of the act of defecation were made by 40.0% (п = 6). Some patients had no complaints — 34.8% (п = 8).Conclusions: Ascariasis was registered almost equally in all age groups. The main complaints were epigastric pain, nausea, decreased appetite, and loose stools. The main cause of the disease was non-compliance with personal hygiene rules, eating unwashed fruits and vegetables, and the habit of eating without first washing your hands. Isolation of a male Ascaris lumbricoides at the time of defecation and a negative result of fecal examination indicate the absence of a female As-caris lumbricoides in the macroorganism and does not require further treatment.