INVESTIGATION OF VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS FOCI IN THE DARVAZ AND PENJIKENT DISTRICTS OF TAJIKISTAN: SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND SEROEPIZOOTOLOGICAL STUDIES.

A total of 1963 dwellers and 779 dogs from the Penjikent and Darvz districts of the Republic of Tajikistan were examined for antibodies to the pathogen of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), by using the rk39 rapid diagnostic test. Mainly children less than14 years and persons over 14 years of age with signs of VL were selected as an examined contingent. There were 35 and 9 persons who were found to have antibodies to the VL pathogen among the examinees in the Penjikent and Darvaz districts, respectively The examination of infants during the first years of life, whose immune system can be defenseless against leishmaniasis, yielded the largest number (more than 90%) of positive results.

[COMPLEX LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF MALARIA PATHOGENS IN THE PRE ELIMINATION PERIOD].

An immunological survey of 8,000 dwellers from 4 districts of Tajikistan failed to detect malaria pathogens by CareStartMalariaHPR2/PLDH (P. falciparum/P. vivax) COMBOGO161 AccessBio tests and showed the possibility of their further use under the Republic's conditions, particularly in the mountain villages and the human settlements bordering on Afghanistan.

[Achievement of the elimination of tropical malaria in The Republic of Tajikistan].

To achieve the elimination of tropical malaria, Tajikistan divided its territory into districts in terms of the malariogenic potential (receptivity + vulnerability) and identified priority regions to be exposed, determined the population's fever background and the required personnel, equipment, and reagents for parasitological examinations, and compiled an inventory of malaria foci. The investigators tested a new (artesunate + sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine) treatment regimen in patients with tropical malaria and in parasite carriers and established active detection of malaria cases through homestead rounds and population examinations. The packages of antimalarial measures were improved, by annually evaluating their efficiency in accordance with the monitoring and estimation indicators.

[Spread of tropical malaria in the Republic of Tajikistan (1994-2008)].

Tropical malaria occurred in the Republic of Tajikistan in 1994 after 40-year absence and spread in 28 regions of Tajikistan and in 3 cities (Dushanbe, Kulyab, and Kurgan-Tyube), peaking in 2000 (831 cases). A total of 3585 cases of tropical malaria were notified in 602 foci during a 15-year period. Migrants imported the pathogenic agent by the route of Pakistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan during armed conflicts and in trading activities continually.

[The specific features of the epidemiology of tertian (Plasmodium vivax) malaria in the Republic of Tajikistan].

The specific features of the functioning of parasitic systems of tertian malaria were found in the elimination period when the number of foci and patients were drastically reduced. Despite the sporadic cases of tertian malaria, in 2009-2012 each of the 9 areas of the Kurgan Tyubin zone, Khatlon Region notified 12 of the 43 active foci with single manifestations of malaria after a long incubation period in the following spring or March-April a year later. The results of these investigations should be borne in mind when planning and implementing antimalarial measures.

[Evaluation of the efficiency of rapid tests in identifying malaria patients and parasite carriers in the Republic of Tajikistan].

The sensitivity of a rapid test versus microscopy ofblood samples was studied while examining 8000 dwellers from the republic's endemic areas. The results of blood testing in the Kumsangir, Dangara, and Vakhdat districts showed agreement with those of blood microscopy. The result of rapid tests did not agree to that of blood microscopy only in one case in the Kabadiyan District.

[Evaluation of the prevalence of helminthiasis among the population of the Republic of Tajikistan].

Helminthological examinations of 2629 persons of different ages have shown that the prevalence rate of soil-transmitted helminths averages 54.24% of the examinees. There isa high rate of helminthiasis in the examined dwellers from two districts (Vanch and Faizobod) in the foothill and mountain zones (78.

[Evaluation of the efficiency of rapid tests to detect malaria patients and parasite carriers in Tajikistan].

The sensitivity of a rapid test versus microscopy of blood samples was studied while examining 7983 dwellers from the republic's endemic areas. The results of blood testing in the Pyanj and Shurobod districts showed agreement with those of blood microscopy. However, its sensitivity in two other districts was as high as 1.

[Malaria in Tadjikistan: from control to elimination].

In the past three years, a notable progress has been made in the control of malaria, as suggested by a drastic reduction in malaria morbidity and in the number of active foci. To fulfill the set tasks, there is a need for continuous financing of antimalaria measures by the country's Government, the Global Fund, WHO, and other sponsors. In the Republic of Tadjikistan, there are prerequisites for achieving the elimination of tropical malaria by 2010; however, it is necessary to collaborate with the Islamic State of Afghanistan for prophylactic measures to be implemented to prevent importation of tropical malaria from the boundary areas.