MEASLES AND ENTEROVIRUS EXANTHEMA IN CHILDREN, PROBLEMS OF DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS AT THE PRESENT STAGE

Abstract

A comparative analysis of clinical and laboratory data was carried out in 676 children diagnosed with “Measles” (619 people) and “Enteroviral exanthema” (57 people), who were hospitalized at the RCIH for the period from 2018 to 2022. The main epidemiological and clinical laboratory features of the course of measles and enteroviral exanthema in children have been determined. It was found that young children were more likely to suffer from measles; for enterovirus infection, older patients were more often observed. To clarify the diagnosis, the ELISA and PCR methods and the Cer Test Enterovirus rapid test (immunochromatographic analysis for the qualitative detection of enterovirus in feces) were used. The clinical picture of measles was characterized by periodicity, the staged appearance of a maculopapular rash followed by pigmentation and peeling, while with enteroviral exanthema the rash was more varied. Severe forms of the disease were recorded more often with measles than with enterovirus infection. Enteroviral exanthema was also characterized by myalgia with arthralgia, hypertrophy of lymphoid tissue, and abdominal pain, which is associated with polymorphism of clinical manifestations. The results obtained will improve differential diagnosis and promptly prescribe adequate treatment.