Abstract
<jats:p>Abstract. Echinococcosis is a chronic, severe parasitic disease of humans and animals caused by the parasitism of the larval stage of Echinococcus monolocularis. Cystic echinococcosis is found on all continents except Antarctica, with an estimated incidence of 188,000 new cases annually and a global burden of 183,500 DALYs (Paternoster et al., 2020). The annual surgical incidence ranges from 2.3 to 18.0 per 100,000 population, reaching over 30.0 in endemic foci. Alveolar echinococcosis is confined to the Northern Hemisphere (China, Central Asia, Russia, Europe, North America), causing approximately 18,400 new cases each year and resulting in a loss of 687,800 DALYs (Paternoster et al., 2020). In Europe, 64,745 cases of cystic echinococcosis have been reported, with an incidence of 0.64 per 100,000 people, with the epicenter located in the southeastern part of the region (Casulli et al., 2023). The incidence of echinococcosis has increased significantly over the past 30 years and remains a serious medical and social problem (Casulli et al., 2023). The aim of to assess, using ultrasound screening methods, the prevalence of echinococcosis among the rural population of Jeti-Oguz District, Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyz Republic, as well as the degree of infestation with cystic and alveolar echinococcosis. Materials of the study. The study presents the results of liver ultrasound examinations conducted on 845 individuals from 22 settlements. Methods of the study. The research methods included instrumental, epidemiological, and statistical approaches. The obtained results were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software by means of descriptive statistical methods. The infestation rate (the proportion of individuals infected with parasitic diseases among the total number of examined residents in a settlement) is presented as p±m, where p is the relative value, and m is the margin of error of the relative value. Results: The study presents the results of screening ultrasound examinations (US) and surveys conducted among 845 individuals from 22 settlements representative of a typical district in the region. According to the US findings, the prevalence of infestation in the population was 6.4±0.4% (54 cases). Ultrasound examinations enabled differentiation of the species of echinococcosis pathogens (Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis) and assessment of the frequency of each species in the region. Analysis of helminthiasis distribution showed that in the Jeti-Oguz District of the Issyk-Kul Region of the Kyrgyz Republic, the settlements of Ak-Terek (10.7%), Tilekmat (9.3%), Orgochor (7.3%), Zhenish (6.8%), An-Oston (6.7%), and Jeti-Oguz (6.6%) can be considered potentially endemic for echinococcosis, with infestation levels exceeding or close to the district average of 6.4%. Gender and age-related characteristics of echinococcosis distribution were identified: infestation was more frequent among women (57.4%), and the highest proportion of detected cases was observed among individuals aged 30–39 years (11.0±3.3%). The analysis of data on the prevalence and structure of echinococcosis morbidity provides insights into the specific patterns of this zoonotic disease in the region and the degree of infestation among the district’s population, characterizing it as typical for endemic areas. Conclusion: Echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis continue to pose a significant epidemiological threat, as confirmed by our study, which revealed high endemicity in the Jeti-Oguz District with an overall infestation rate of 6.4%, local hotspots of higher prevalence, a predominance of cases among women and individuals of working age, and a substantial proportion of previously undiagnosed cases. This underscores the necessity for active ultrasound screening, health education, strengthened veterinary surveillance, and the implementation of comprehensive prevention programs based on intersectoral collaboration and the “One Health” approach.</jats:p>