Posts from Danger of helminth infection (Important!)

I think many people don't even consider this at all, and they should.
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Helminth Infection

The most common pathological effect of practically all causative agents of human parasitic diseases is allergization and the suppression of the body's immune response. The term "helminthiasis" (from the Latin Helminthos – worm) was introduced by Hippocrates, who was the first to describe in detail the clinical manifestations of infection by certain helminths. When infected with helminths, complex relationships arise between two living organisms – the parasite and the host, which tend toward a prolonged or chronic course. Helminthiases are characterized by a fairly wide range of clinical manifestations: from asymptomatic to extremely severe, posing a threat to human life [1].

The organizer of parasitology in Russia, Academician K.I. Skryabin, foreseeing the terrible prospects of worm infection, noted: "Neither economic prosperity, nor full abundance, nor the implementation of mass health-improvement measures will yield effective results in improving health if general ignorance remains in the country." Helminthiases are among the most common human diseases and have a significant impact on the socio-economic life of society. In children, they cause developmental delay, anemia, impairment of mental abilities, decreased academic performance, and exhaustion.

A feature of most parasitic diseases is the long-term, multi-year presence of the pathogen in the patient's body, which is determined by the lifespan of many helminths or frequent reinfections. In addition to the direct pathological effect, widespread prevalence of parasitoses among the population leads to a more frequent occurrence and more severe course of other diseases. Patients with opisthorchiasis are 12 times more likely to develop chronic typhoid carriage, and there is a significantly increased risk of liver, pancreatic, and bile duct cancer.

The most common pathological effect of practically all causative agents of human parasitic diseases is allergization and the suppression of the body's immune response. Allergization in giardiasis and intestinal helminthiases supports or initiates chronic allergodermatoses (neurodermatitis, eczema) and atopic bronchial asthma. A link has been proven between intestinal helminthiases and alopecia, as well as focal skin depigmentation. Therefore, timely diagnosis and effective treatment of helminth invasions are extremely relevant today.

Prevention of Helminthiases and the Fight Against Them from the WHO Perspective

World Health Organization (WHO) documents emphasize that at least 75% of all school-age children living in areas with high risk of helminthiases should receive treatment. (WHO technical report series EB111/28, No. 912, 2002).

WHO Member States are recommended to include an operational program for combating helminthiases into existing primary health care systems and to continue active epidemiological surveillance and treatment in endemic areas. Health education, provision of clean drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene remain important elements of helminthiasis prevention.

The WHO believes that a mechanism should be created to monitor the quality of anthelmintic drugs and methods should be developed to detect, monitor, and prevent the formation of drug resistance in helminths. The documents note that the pharmaceutical industry should be called upon to develop and market new medicines for the treatment of
helminthiases.

The WHO believes there is a clear underestimation of the burden of helminthiases. It is necessary to recalculate the number of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to parasitoses and severe morbidity specific to helminthiases (liver fibrosis, urinary tract obstruction), as well as "insidious" morbidity (anemia, growth retardation), for which schistosomiasis is an important contributing factor.

The task set in WHO resolution WHA54.19 is to ensure by 2010 regular treatment — at the appropriate interval — for 75%-100% of all school-age children. Currently, approximately 800 million school-age children are infected with soil-transmitted helminths and/or schistosomes; they suffer from anemia, which undermines their physical and mental abilities, cannot concentrate attention, experience difficulties in learning, miss classes, and drop out of school more often.

The Danger of Helminthiases

To date, about 300 species of helminths are known that can cause disease in humans. According to WHO data, more than 4.5 billion people worldwide are affected by parasitic diseases, with helminthiases accounting for 99% of all parasites [3]. According to specialists, the current prevalence of helminthiases among residents of various continents is little different from the assessment given by Le Riche back in the 60s of last century: on average, there are more than two species of helminths per resident of Africa, more than one in Asia and Latin America, and every third resident in Europe is affected [2]. According to unofficial data from American Dr. Ross Anderson, 85-95% of the adult US population have parasites but do not know it [3]. In Russia, about 2 million patients are registered annually; however, taking correction coefficients into account, the true number may be at least 22.1 million (V.P. Sergiev, 1991).

Based on the conceptual foundations of national priority health projects — stimulating the social orientation of state development, implementing safe technologies that ensure the protection of life and health of the population, providing state funding for comprehensive prevention and treatment programs — it is clearly established that the health of citizens is a key area of public development and its initial potential. The health of the nation is an integral indicator of a state's civilization and reflects the socio-economic state of society. This applies first and foremost to improving the population's health from parasitic invasions. Therefore, the problem of improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of parasitic diseases remains relevant today.

Taking into account the global nature of helminth infection, one would like to know what danger parasite worms pose to human health? This question is easier to answer by examining the pathogenetic changes that a helminth causes in the human body.

Info from site http://www.nutrition.ru
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In homes where there are both puppies and children, it is very important to ensure that children do not contract worms from the puppies. Obviously, no matter how much a puppy is loved, the owner should not kiss it or allow the puppy to lick their face. Otherwise, people themselves can become infected. A few years ago, there was great panic regarding the danger of tapeworms to humans. Cases of blindness in children due to tapeworm infection were reported. Unfortunately, this is entirely possible, but it is unlikely to happen if dogs and puppies are kept in sanitary conditions and regularly dewormed. Puppies should not be allowed to lick the face, especially the mouth; if hands are washed after playing with dogs, the actual risk of infection is small.
Probably, the most important problem is the removal of dog feces. It must be ensured that dogs do not relieve themselves in children's sandboxes. Children may come into contact with dog feces and then touch their mouths, thus becoming infected. Therefore, dog feces should be removed from paths, grass, and playgrounds; the area should be checked twice a day if both children and dogs play there.

Info from site http://cynolog.ru
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And of course, in 1st place is the *Clean Hands Rule*. Especially during the *Summer season*.
Do not buy anything suspicious from *Stalls*, no matter how much you want to))
Let's take care of each other.
Respectfully, Indigo.

My brain is fried!

What’s the point of all this?

Dear Dracon Mallasa, everything is said in the topic.
This is important! Especially for children!!! No humor.

there are no children here, and if there are, they are quite mature and aware of it)))

P.S. very young children (I won't give an example) won't be able to read... and even if they can, will they follow the rules? It's like the topic of smoking and alcohol. It's hard for people to change, and children even more so, and they don't understand everything.

Everyone writes about what bothers them.

Those who have a problem are the ones who talk about it.

slayer of dragons, those who think about others, not just themselves, are the ones who write. Yes... We are all children as long as our parents are alive.

Added 3 minutes later

There are no children here, and if there are, they are quite mature and know it)))

P.S. and very young ones (I won't give an example) won't be able to read... and even if they manage, will they follow the rules? It's like the topic about smoking and alcohol. It's hard for people to change... and children even more so, and they don't understand everything.

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About everything, I don't think everyone knows. Arandor, are you aware that in the south of Russia, there have been cases of infection with *worms through mosquito bites* for the 2nd year already? The worms live in the circulatory system. There have been fatal cases among animals.
Only fools know everything)
I created this topic for everyone as a reminder and warning.
Sincerely, Indigo

Well, I think the southerners already know about it, since they live there)))
and maybe the rest shouldn't know... just in case they don't want to become fools ;D
"everything" isn't limited to worms))

P.S. reminders are good, but there are many dangers in the world, and you can't warn people about all of them... although, you could create topics for each type... but would that help? I doubt it... it all depends on the person themselves.

Hmm? The topic is certainly very important and extremely interesting. But not for this forum. I'll somehow manage to protect my children. That's what I think.

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D Indigo!))))) You're hilarious!)) Haven't you heard anything about the danger of a global diarrhea epidemic?)))
P.S. Actually, this is a bit off-topic for this forum.

AAAAA everyone be afraid of Tsetse flies (Tsetse - transl. from Ukr.), there is a 0,138(3) probability that these flies will enter your city, so you must be warned; fill your head with useless information about these flies and then maybe they won't bite you.

Human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a parasitic disease transmitted through vectors of the pathogen. These parasites are protozoa belonging to the genus Trypanosoma. They are transmitted to humans through the bites of tsetse flies (genus Glossina), which become infected from humans or animals that carry these pathogenic human parasites.

Tsetse flies are widespread in Africa. Only certain species transmit the disease. Different species have different habitats. They are mainly found in vegetation near rivers and lakes, in gallery forests, and in vast areas of wooded savanna.

Sleeping sickness occurs only in sub-Saharan Africa, in areas where tsetse flies that transmit this disease are present. For reasons that remain unexplained, there are many areas where tsetse flies are widespread, yet sleeping sickness is absent.
Rural populations living in transmission areas who engage in agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry, or hunting are most susceptible to the bites of tsetse flies and, therefore, to this disease.
As a rule, sleeping sickness occurs in remote rural areas where healthcare systems are weak or non-existent. This disease spreads among the poor. Important factors leading to increased transmission are population movements, war, and poverty.
The disease develops in areas ranging in size from a single village to an entire region. Within a single area, the intensity of the disease may vary between villages.
Depending on the parasite, human African trypanosomiasis has two forms:

Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (T.b.g.) is found in West and Central Africa. This form accounts for more than 90% of reported cases of sleeping sickness and causes a chronic infection. A person can be infected for months or even years without serious signs or symptoms of the disease. When symptoms appear, the patient is often in an advanced stage of the disease where the central nervous system is affected.
Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (T.b.r.) is found in East and South Africa. This form accounts for less than 10% of reported cases and causes an acute infection. The first signs and symptoms are observed after several months or weeks. The disease progresses rapidly and affects the central nervous system.
Another form of trypanosomiasis occurs in South America. It is known as American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease. The organism causing this disease differs from the species that causes the African form of the disease.

Animal Trypanosomiasis
Other species and subspecies of parasites of the genus Tripanosoma are pathogenic to animals and cause animal trypanosomiasis among many species of wild and domestic animals (this disease in cattle is called "nagana" (Nagana), which means "to be depressed" in Zulu). Animals can be carriers of pathogenic human parasites, especially T.b. rhodesiense; thus, domestic and wild animals are an important reservoir for the parasites. Animals can also be infected with T.b. gambiense, although the epidemiological role of this reservoir has not yet been precisely established.

The infection of domestic animals with this disease, and particularly cattle, is a serious obstacle to the economic development of affected rural areas. Major epidemics of sleeping sickness in the past took many human lives, and as a result, fertile lands were abandoned.

Major Epidemics
Over the last century, several epidemics have occurred in Africa: one between 1896 and 1906, mainly in Uganda and the Congo River basin; one in 1920 in a number of African countries; and the most recent began in 1970. The 1920 epidemic was halted thanks to mobile screening teams organizing the testing of millions of people at risk. By the mid-1960s, this disease had almost disappeared. Following this success, epidemiological surveillance was relaxed, and over the last 30 years, the disease has reappeared in several areas. Recent efforts by the WHO, national control programs, as well as non-governmental organizations, have stopped and begun to reverse the trend of increasing new cases.

Geographical Distribution of the Disease
Sleeping sickness threatens millions of people in 36 sub-Saharan African countries. However, only a small proportion of them are under surveillance with regular examinations, have access to any medical center capable of providing diagnostic tools, or are protected by vector control measures.

In 1986, a group of experts convened by the WHO made an estimate that about 70 million people live in areas where transmission of this disease may occur.
In 1998, nearly 40,000 cases were registered; however, it was considered that this number does not reflect the true situation, and according to estimates, another 300,000 to 500,000 cases remain undiagnosed and therefore untreated.
During recent epidemic episodes in several villages in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola, and South Sudan, the prevalence of the disease reached 50%. In these communities, sleeping sickness is regarded as the first or second most significant cause of mortality, surpassing even HIV/AIDS.
By 2005, surveillance was strengthened, and the number of new cases diagnosed across the continent decreased significantly; between 1998 and 2004, rates for both forms of this disease combined dropped from 37,991 to 17,616 cases. Currently, the number of cases is estimated at 50,000 to 70,000.
Progress in establishing control over the disease

In 2000, the WHO established a public-private partnership with "Aventis Pharma" (now "Sanofi-Aventis"), which allowed for the creation of a surveillance team that supports endemic countries in their fight against the disease and ensures free supplies of drugs for treating patients.
In 2006, the success achieved in reducing the number of sleeping sickness cases prompted several private entities to support initial efforts toward eliminating this disease as a public health problem.
CURRENT SITUATION IN ENDEMIC COUNTRIES
The prevalence of this disease varies between countries, as well as in different parts of a single country. In 2005, serious outbreaks were observed in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan. In the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Malawi, Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania, sleeping sickness remains a serious public health problem. Countries such as Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe report fewer than 50 new cases per year. In countries such as Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Namibia, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, and Togo, transmission has apparently ceased, and no reports of new cases have been received for several decades. Nevertheless, due to the lack of surveillance and diagnostic specialists, assessing the current situation in a number of endemic countries is difficult.

Infection and Symptoms
The disease is transmitted as a result of the bite of an infected tsetse fly. Initially, trypanosomes multiply in subcutaneous tissues, blood, and lymph. Over time, the parasites cross the blood-brain barrier and infect the central nervous system. In the case of T.b. gambiense, this process can last for years.

Mother-to-child transmission: trypanosomes can cross the placental barrier and infect the fetus.
Mechanical transmission is possible. However, assessing the epidemiological consequences of transmission via other blood-sucking insects is difficult.
Accidental infections have occurred in laboratories as a result of pricks with contaminated needles.
In the first stage of the disease, known as hemolymphatic, there are bouts of fever, headache, joint pain, and itching. The second stage, known as neurological, occurs after the parasite crosses the blood-brain barrier and enters the central nervous system. Generally, signs and symptoms of the disease appear at this stage: confusion, sensory disturbances, and impaired coordination. An important element of the second stage is the disruption of the sleep-wake cycle, from which the disease derived its name. In the absence of treatment, sleeping sickness leads to a fatal outcome.

Disease Management
Disease management is carried out in three stages:

Screening consists of the initial identification of people who may be infected. This involves serological tests and/or checking for clinical signs—typically swollen cervical glands.
As a result of diagnosis, the presence or absence of the parasite is established.
Staging of the disease shows how far the disease has progressed. It consists of analyzing cerebrospinal fluid obtained via lumbar puncture and serves to determine the course of treatment.
A diagnosis should be made as early as possible and before the neurological stage occurs to avoid complex, difficult, and risky treatment procedures.

The prolonged asymptomatic first stage of sleeping sickness caused by T.b. gambiense is one of the factors requiring comprehensive active screening of populations at risk in order to identify patients at an early stage and reduce disease transmission.

Treatment
The type of treatment depends on the stage of the disease, as drugs used in the first stage are less toxic, easier to administer, and more effective. The earlier the disease is detected, the better the prospects for treatment. Success of second-stage treatment depends on a drug that can cross the blood-brain barrier to act on the parasites. Such drugs are more difficult to apply. Four drugs are registered for the treatment of sleeping sickness, which are provided to endemic countries free of charge through the WHO's private partnership with "Sanofi-Aventis" (pentamidine, melarsoprol, and eflornithine) and "Bayer AG" (suramin).

First-stage Treatment

Pentamidine: discovered in 1941, used to treat the first stage of T.b. gambiense sleeping sickness. Despite some adverse effects, it is well tolerated by patients.
Suramin: discovered in 1921, used to treat the first stage of T.b. rhodesiense sleeping sickness. It causes certain adverse effects in the urinary tract and allergic reactions.
Second-stage Treatment

Melarsoprol: discovered in 1949, used for both forms of infection. It is an arsenic derivative and has numerous undesirable side effects. The most prominent is reactive encephalopathy (encephalopathic syndrome), which can be fatal (from 3% to 10%). An increase in resistance to this drug is observed in several foci, especially in Central Africa.
Eflornithine: this molecule was registered in 1990. It is effective only against T.b. gambiense sleeping sickness. It is an alternative to treatment with melarsoprol. Its administration regimen is difficult and requires strict adherence.
Role of the World Health Organization
The reappearance of sleeping sickness in the 1970s prompted the WHO to strengthen its program for combating human African trypanosomiasis. The goal is to coordinate activities in endemic countries and mobilize a wide range of partners.

As part of the program, the WHO provides support and technical assistance to national programs fighting sleeping sickness. A network has been created including donor countries, private foundations, non-governmental organizations, regional institutions, research centers, and universities to participate in surveillance and disease control and in implementing research projects for the development of new drugs and diagnostic tools.

The goals of the WHO program are:

strengthening and coordinating control measures and ensuring further activity on the ground;
strengthening existing surveillance systems;
support through a network for monitoring treatment and drug resistance;
developing an information database and providing personnel training measures.
developing inter-agency cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This institution deals with vector control by sterilizing males using radiation. Additionally, there is a joint Program for the Control of African Trypanosomiasis (PCAT), including the WHO (human health), FAO (animal health), and IAEA (vector control).



So that's what I was getting at; as Socrates said, "Oh how many things in the world are unnecessary to me!" (Remember this phrase more often when you enter a supermarket or Ikea, you will save a lot of money).

All you need is to know simple hygiene rules and not overcomplicate your life.

Well, I think many people have now become enlightened on this issue. And many already knew everything. The rest will find out. Now, forum members are *less threatened by worms*. I was, of course, laughing as I wrote this. I was almost crying. But let's be serious. After all, the topic is not childish; it's serious.

OMG, the planet is in danger! -.- It's a good thing I don't have a puppy. P.S. And ticks pose a deadly threat. What should I do now? Just frustration :-(

Dogs can contract babesiosis from ticks, and this is actually not a laughing matter because the danger is very real.