[Dirofilariasis in the Nizhny Novgorod Region].

The paper describes cases of dirofilariasis in the Nizhny Novgorod Region in 2006-2010. During this period 26 patients with dirofilariasis were registered. Their age was 20 to 68 years; the maximum cases (26.9%) were among those aged 50-59 years. Females constituted most cases (70%). In 73% of patients, the helminth was found in different areas of the head, with the predominant involvement of eye lesion (34.6%), in the temple (11.5%), cheek (8%), and nose (8%). Dirofilaria were randomly detected in 2 patients. Helminth migration occurred in 15.3% of cases. No clear seasonality for this helminthiasis was found. Local dirofilariasis was noted in most cases (92.3%). This infection was observed in 13 of 49 districts of the region and in 3 of 8 districts of Nizhny Novgorod. The Nizhny Novgorod Region is situated in a low infection transmission risk area (latitude 54-58 degrees North). However, among 11 areas located in this zone, the Nizhny Novgorod Region registered the maximum cases of dirofilariasis. Dirofilariasis in the Nizhny Novgorod Region shares the manifestations of this helminthiasis in the Russian Federation.