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Serologic evidence of toxocariasis in northeast Brazil
P Virginia1, K Nagakura, O Ferreira
1Hospital of Institute for Maternal and Infant Sciences of Pernambuco (IMIPE) Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Insights
Toxocariasis was serologically diagnosed in Brazilian children with tropical eosinophilia syndrome. This study identified Toxocara infections, highlighting a significant prevalence in the region.
Area of Science:
- Tropical medicine
- Parasitology
- Clinical immunology
Background:
- Tropical eosinophilia syndrome (TES) is a condition characterized by persistent high eosinophil counts.
- Toxocariasis, a parasitic infection caused by Toxocara species, is a potential cause of hypereosinophilia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in Brazilian children diagnosed with TES.
- To identify the specific Toxocara species responsible for infections in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 54 children with TES were screened for toxocariasis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Positive sera were further analyzed using the Toxocara species-specific Ouchterlony's diffusion-in-gel test.
- Co-infection with Dilofilaria immitis was also assessed.
Main Results:
- Twenty-one out of 54 children (40%) tested positive for toxocariasis via ELISA.
- Fifteen of the 21 toxocariasis-positive children (71%) also showed positive results for Dilofilaria immitis.
- Specific species identification revealed one case of Toxocara canis and one case of Toxocara cati infection among six TES children with hypereosinophilia.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first serological diagnosis of toxocariasis in Brazil.
- Toxocariasis is a significant finding in children with TES in Brazil, suggesting it as a differential diagnosis.
- Co-infection with D. immitis is common in this population.
Abstract:
Sera from 54 Brazilian children with a history of tropical eosinophilia syndrome were screened for toxocariasis. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detected 21 positive sera (40%). Many of these cases (15 of 21) were positive for Dilofilaria immitis as well. Of the six Toxocara-positive children with hypereosinophilia, two were asthmatic. Their sera were further examined by the Toxocara species-specific Ouchterlony's diffusion-in-gel test and one Toxocara canis and one T. cati infections were identified. This is the first report of serologically diagnosed toxocariasis in Brazil.