METHODS OF DIAGNOSTICS AND TREATMENT OF PARASITOSES WITH UNPROVEN EFFECTIVENESS AS A THREAT TO THE BIOSAFETY OF RUSSIA

Development and improvement of modern methods of diagnostics of infectious and parasitic diseases remains one of the most priority directions of medical science development in modern conditions. The situation is complicated by the emergence of treatment and prevention institutions in the field of parasitology, practicing diagnostic methods with unproven effectiveness, such as diagnosis by Dr. Voll, iridodiagnostics, bioresonance diagnostics, etc., leading to incorrect diagnosis and, consequently, ineffective treatment. This study is devoted to assess the clinical relevance of such methods, current status and possible future directions. 3254 outpatient parasitological admission charts from 2016-2024 were analyzed. The study showed that more than half of the patients (63.2%) who came to the initial parasitologist appointment had previously used methods of diagnosis and treatment of parasitic diseases with unproven efficacy, 56% of these patients developed parasitic phobias and other somatoform disorders. The clinical relevance of diagnostic and treatment methods with unproven efficacy remains a challenge for the medical community. The consequences of such use may have an impact on the entire system of domestic healthcare, as it is directly related to patient safety, healthcare costs and quality of healthcare delivery.