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Prevalence of Toxocariasis and Its Risk Factors in Patients with Eosinophilia in Korea.

Authors :
Hyun Beom Song
Deokho Lee
Yan Jin
Jinwoo Kang
Shin-Hyeong Cho
Min Sun Park
Jin-Ho Park
Woo-Jung Song
Hye-Ryun Kang
Sang Hyub Lee
Sung-Tae Hong
Min-Ho Choi
Source :
Korean Journal of Parasitology; Aug2020, Vol. 58 Issue 4, p413-419, 7p
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Eosinophilia occurs commonly in many diseases including allergic diseases and helminthic infections. Toxocariasis has been suggested as one cause of eosinophilia. The present study was undertaken to examine the prevalence of toxocariasis in patients with eosinophilia and to identify the risk factors for toxocariasis. This prospective cohort study recruited a total of 81 patients with eosinophilia (34 males and 47 females) who visited the outpatient clinic at Seoul National University Hospital from January 2017 to February 2018 and agreed to participate in this study. The prevalence of toxocariasis was examined by T. canis-specific ELISA, and the various risk factors for toxocariasis were evaluated by a questionnaire survey. Among 81 patients with eosinophilia, 18 were positive for anti-T. canis antibodies (22.2%); 88.9% were male (16/18) and 11.1% were female (2/18). Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that males (OR 21.876, 95% CI: 1.667-287.144) with a history of consuming the raw meat or livers of animals (OR 5.899, 95% CI: 1.004-34.669) and a heavy alcohol-drinking habit (OR 8.767, 95% CI: 1.018-75.497) were at higher risk of toxocariasis in patients with eosinophilia. Toxocariasis should be considered a potential cause of eosinophilia when the patient has a history of eating the raw meat or livers of animals in Korea. A single course of albendazole is recommended to reduce the migration of Toxocara larvae in serologically positive cases with eosinophilia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00234001
Volume :
58
Issue :
4
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Korean Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
145397753
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2020.58.4.413