Epidemiological Aspects of Parasitic Diseases of the Respiratory System Mimicking the Clinical Picture of Respiratory Infections: A Review

Abstract

Introduction: Acute respiratory infections are one of the most common human diseases and are caused by many pathogens, while helminths receive undeservedly little attention in the structure of respiratory disorders. Meanwhile, the course of helminthiases of the respiratory system is disguised as a disease of nonparasitic etiology, with such manifestations as low-grade fever, dyspnea, cough, pleurisy, bronchitis, being therefore misdiagnosed and inadequate treated with serious consequences. In this review, we point out similar symptoms of bronchopulmonary pathologies associated with respiratory infections and parasitic diseases. Objective: To give a comparative characteristic of the clinical picture of pulmonary helminthiases and acute respiratory infections. Materials and methods: We analyzed literary sources on medical parasitology and helminth biology published in 1900–2021, found in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, Springer and Google Scholar databases. In addition, were reviewed fifteen published case reports of pulmonary parasitoses. Results: We considered the life cycles of flatworms and roundworms belonging to 10 genera including Paragonimus, Taenia, Echinococcus, Ascaris, Toxocara, Ancylostoma, Necator, Strongyloides, Metastrongylus, and Dirofilaria, and summarized data on the respiratory symptoms of parasitic diseases, pathogenesis in the organism of the definitive host, and routes of entry. Conclusion: This review presents a comparative description of helminthiasis with mixed pathogenesis, mimicking the clinical picture of respiratory infections. To avoid inadequate treatment, we recommend supplementing a carefully collected medical history with a differential diagnosis of parasitic diseases for diseases of nonparasitic etiology (allergic and chronic systemic diseases, viral, bacterial infections). It is the early diagnosis of helminthiasis that prevents a life-threatening health condition, severe operations, and further long-term rehabilitation of patients.