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[What problems does childhood toxocariasis currently pose? Apropos of 6 clinical cases]
Insights
Toxocariasis, a parasitic infection, often presents subtly in children. Diagnosis relies on serology, particularly the passive hemagglutination test, with flubendazole as a preferred treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Toxocariasis, or visceral larva migrans syndrome, is a parasitic zoonosis.
- Children are particularly susceptible, often presenting with non-specific symptoms.
Observation:
- Six pediatric cases of toxocariasis were observed.
- One case involved probable ocular toxocariasis; five presented with inapparent forms.
- Patients exhibited significant hypereosinophilia and elevated IgE levels.
Findings:
- Standard allergy and parasitology tests were negative.
- Toxocara serology, specifically the passive hemagglutination test (titer ≥ 1/320), proved crucial for diagnosis.
- Flubendazole administered at 50 mg/kg/day for six days, potentially renewable, is the recommended treatment.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering toxocariasis in pediatric cases with unexplained hypereosinophilia and elevated IgE.
- Emphasizes the diagnostic utility of Toxocara serology when other tests are inconclusive.
- Suggests flubendazole as an effective therapeutic option for toxocariasis.
Abstract:
About six observations of toxocariasis (visceral larva migrans syndrome). We relate six observations of toxocariasis among children. In one case, an ocular localization is probable. For other five patients, they are inapparent forms. The allergologist pediatrician may be consulted because of a major hypereosinophilia (greater than 10,000/mm3) and an elevation of total IgE (greater than 2,000 UI/ml). Allergic and current parasitologic assays are negative and diagnostic key is given by toxocara serology. We insist on interest and reliability of passive hemagglutination test with a purified antigen (titer greater than or equal to 1/320). Treatment now is preferably flubendazole (50 mg/kg/day for six days) eventually renewed.