PARASITIC INFECTIONS IN UZBEKISTAN: PATTERNS, REGIONAL DIFFERENCES, AND TREATMENT APPROACHES
Keywords:
Parasitic infections; Helminthiasis; Giardiasis; Echinococcosis; Regional variation; Uzbekistan.Abstract
Background: Parasitic infections remain an important public health problem in Uzbekistan, particularly among children and rural populations. Environmental conditions, agricultural practices, water sanitation challenges, and close human–animal interactions contribute to sustained transmission. Understanding regional patterns of parasitic infections is essential for designing effective, targeted control strategies.
Objective: To review the epidemiological patterns of parasitic infections in Uzbekistan, compare regional variations, and summarize current treatment and prevention approaches.
Methods: A narrative review of published literature, national surveillance reports, and regional epidemiological studies was conducted. Data on intestinal helminths, protozoan infections, and zoonotic parasitic diseases were analyzed with particular emphasis on regional distribution, risk factors, and therapeutic strategies.
Results: Intestinal helminth infections, especially enterobiasis, ascariasis, and trichocephalosis, represent the most prevalent parasitic diseases nationwide, predominantly affecting children. Karakalpakstan and the Fergana Valley report the highest burden of soil-transmitted helminths, largely due to inadequate sanitation and environmental exposure. Protozoan infections, particularly giardiasis, are more common in urban and peri-urban regions such as Samarkand. Cystic echinococcosis remains a significant zoonotic concern, with higher incidence in livestock-intensive regions including Syrdarya and Jizzakh, while urban centers such as Tashkent demonstrate lower prevalence. Treatment strategies primarily rely on benzimidazole anthelmintics for helminth infections, nitroimidazole agents for protozoal diseases, and combined medical–surgical approaches for echinococcosis. Preventive measures include routine screening, mass deworming, hygiene promotion, and veterinary control programs.
Conclusion: Parasitic infections in Uzbekistan display marked regional heterogeneity influenced by ecological, socio-economic, and behavioral factors. Integrated, region-specific control strategies combining pharmacological treatment, sanitation improvement, health education, and zoonotic disease control are essential to reduce disease burden and prevent reinfection.
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