THE DIFFICULTIES OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF BOTULISM

The popularity of home canning contributes to a sufficiently high incidence of botulism worldwide. The canned products containing botulinum toxin do not change neither color, taste, nor smell of contents of canned food. The criteria for the severity of the course of botulism are considered a violation of swallowing liquid food and symptoms of difficulty breathing. A distinctive feature of the paralytic syndrome in botulism is its symmetry and the absence of a violation of sensitivity. The criteria of the severity of the course of botulism is considered a violation of swallowing liquid food and the severity of acute respiratory failure. The paper presents the features of the therapy of the patients with botulism in the intensive care unit. Clinical examples illustrate the difficulties in recognizing botulism at the early stage of the disease, which are due to the polymorphism of the clinical picture of botulism and the similarity of symptoms with other diseases. Most commonly, patients with botulism are diagnosed with acute intestinal infection or the neurological pathology. Patients are not hospitalized in a timely manner, which can affect the outcome of the disease. The ability to recognize botulism at the prehospital stage is necessary for all doctors

SOME EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS ASSOCIATED WITH INFECTIONS TRANSMITTED BY IXODID TICKS IN METROPOLITAN CITY

The aim of the study is to conduct a research of patient encounters concerning tick bites and incidence rates of infections transmitted by ixodid ticks among Moscow population; to estimate data about abundance of ticks infected with human diseases in Moscow region and formulate an approach to non-specific prevention of human diseases, transmitted by ixodid ticks, taking into account the city environment. Materials and methods. We have analyzied quantitative data provided by Federal Service on Surveillance for Consumer rights protection and human well-being (period: 2013-2016) about patient encounters concerning tick bites and incidence rates of infections transmitted by ixodid ticks among Moscow population. We employed standard method of collecting and tracking Ixodid ticks abundance in the parks and parklands of Moscow using “flags” and “trackers” within vegetation. Existence of infectious agents in Ixodid ticks was identified with PCR method in the laboratory of the department of highly infectious diseases FBHI «Moscow Centre of Hygiene and Epidemiology». Results and considerations. Epidemiological situation in Moscow in 20132016 concerning infections transmitted by ixodid ticks remains stressful. According to Federal Service on Surveillance for Consumer rights protection and human well-being, Lyme disease and introduced cases of tick-borne encephalitis were registered in Moscow. In 2016, 61 parks and parklands were listed as a potential life environment for Ixodid ticks. Investigation of the cases about infectioning with Lyme disease agents in Moscow region in 2013-2016 revealed that most of the cases were registered in East and North-West districts of Moscow in «Losiniy Ostrov» and «Serebryaniy Bor» parks. Conclusion. In the megapolis environment the approach to prevent infectious diseases transmitted by ixodid tick should be multifaceted. The greatest value should lie in non-specific prevention aimed on protection against several infectious agents that might be in a tick