Epidemiological aspects of toxocariasis in the astrakhan region in 2000–2019

The clinical and epidemiological situations of toxocariasis were analyzed following the International Classification of Diseases X revision (B83.0 Visceral form of diseases caused by the migration of helminth larvae [visceral Larva migrans]. Toxocariasis) in the Astrakhan region from 2000 to 2019. During this period, 76 (0.096%) cases of toxocarous infestation in humans were reported. Clinically, typical toxocariasis was found in 53 (69.7%) cases, and atypical (erased or asymptomatic) was noted in 23 (30.3%) cases. A typical toxocariasis presented as a gastrointestinal lesion in 32 (60.4%) patients, pain in the epigastric region in 31 (96.9%), complaints in the right hand in 12 (37.5%), bloating in 4 (12.5%), decreased and/or lack of appetite and nausea in 7 (21.9%), coughing in 30 (93.8%), and feeling of asphyxiation at night in 6 (18.8%). In addition, toxocariasis was accompanied by muscle damage, manifested in the form of complaints of joint pain, in 13 (24.5%) cases and rapid fatigue in 12 (92.3%) cases. A mixed form of toxocariasis was observed, manifesting as complaints of general weakness in 8 (15.1%) cases, subphebrilitis in 7 (87.5%), allergic runny nose and urticaria in 6 (75%), and reduced body weight and stratification of nails correspondences in 3 (37.5%). Albendazole was used for treatment. Sanitary and parasitological analysis of soil samples from playgrounds in Astrakhan and Astrakhan region for the presence of eggs and larvae of helminths, as well as cysts of pathogenic intestinal protozoa, showed fairly high contamination of toxocar eggs in environmental objects. Thus, toxocariasis was registered in individuals of different ages (children and adults). The main causes of infection were close contact with domestic and stray animals, noncompliance with personal hygiene rules, as well as a tendency to geophagia. The criteria for the diagnosis of “toxocariasis” were the clinical manifestations of invasion and presence of antibodies of 1:800 and higher in the formulation of the immunoassay method.