Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of opisthorchiasis in the Republic of Mordovia

Objective. To analyze clinical and epidemiological characteristics of opisthorchiasis in the Republic of Mordovia. Materials and methods. We have analyzed medical records of 34 patients with opisthorchiasis (6 with acute disease and 28 with chronic disease) treated in the Republican Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases between 2011 and 2020. The diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of eggs of Opisthorchis felineus in their feces by microscopy. Results. The territory of Mordovia is considered endemic for opisthorchiasis. New cases are registered every year, while the incidence is lower than that in Russia. The highest incidence was observed among urban residents over 40 years of age, primarily in women. All patients reported that they ate lightly salted and dried fish (carp) not tested for its safety. Conclusion. Acute opisthorchiasis developed as the hepatocholangitic variant of the disease with fever, intoxication, pain, and jaundice. Chronic opisthorchiasis was characterized by various, but less pronounced gastrointestinal symptoms; general intoxication was less common than in patients with acute disease. Clinical manifestations of allergosis were observed only in patients with chronic infection, whereas its more pronounced laboratory signs were detected in patients with acute opisthorchiasis. Chronic infection was characterized by less significant changes in other laboratory parameters. Praziquantel was used to treat opisthorchiasis. Keywords: diagnosis, clinical manifestations, treatment, opisthorchiasis, acute, chronic, epidemiological analysis