Toxocariasis, Intestinal Parasitoses and Eosinophilia in Schoolchildren from Argentina

The purpose was to analyze the relationship between toxocariasis, intestinal parasitosis, eosinophilia, pet ownership and signs and symptoms present in 370 schoolchildren (3-12 years old) of Argentina. The positive serology for toxocariasis was 19.5%, associated with eosinophilia and possession of cats as pets. The stool testing revealed 70.0% of parasitized children. Its frequency was 44.9% helminthes and 53.5% protozoan resulting single significant presence of protozoa in children aged 10-12 years. The species were: Blastocystis hominis (45.7%), Enterobius vermicularis (43.2%), Giardia intestinalis (16.2%), Hymenolepis nana (2.4%), Ascaris lumbridoides (1.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.3%). The survey showed 13.0% of children with sporadic abdominal pain and 13.5% with pruritus ani. The results indicate relationship between positive serology and eosinophilia compatible with a clinical aspect of covert toxocariasis self-limiting, associated with cats ownership; in school children from our region who also have high frequency of intestinal parasitoses.