Foresight in the diagnosis of trematodiasis: innovations versus routine methods

Aim. To analyze modern methods for the diagnosis of trematodiasis in experimental and epidemiological studies. Trematodiasis is a group of common parasitic diseases that are a socially sensitive health problem worldwide. According to World Health Organization, more than 250 million people are affected by trematode infections globally. The most common types of human trematode infections are diseases caused by Schistosoma, Fasciola, Clonorchis, and Opisthorchis pathogens. Diagnosis of trematodiasis is often multistage and includes identification of disease symptoms, analysis of medical history, and use of various laboratory tests. Clinical presentation of parasitic infections often varies, making a definitive diagnosis difficult. Various tools are used to diagnose trematode infections: epidemiological criteria, laboratory tests (complete blood count and blood biochemistry, serological methods), instrumental methods (abdominal X-ray and ultrasound), and parasitological techniques, which often have insufficient sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, development of modern and effective non-invasive methods for detection of trematode infections with high sensitivity and specificity, including screening in endemic regions, is relevant. The present review analyzes the results of 90 clinical trials and experimental studies on the diagnosis of trematode infections using the PubMed search engine and the eLibrary database. The review analyzes original articles published from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2021. Most studies confirm that the absence of a standard diagnostic approach highlights obvious convenience of utilizing a combined approach to reliable diagnosis of trematodiasis. An adequate combination of different diagnostic tests makes it possible to diagnose the disease correctly, devise a correct treatment and follow-up strategy, and organize preventive measures.