[Atypical presentation of infant toxocariasis: About a case]

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Case Reports

Background:

• Toxocariasis, a parasitic infection, typically presents with visceral, ocular, or covert symptoms.
• Atypical presentations can pose diagnostic challenges, especially in endemic regions like the Peruvian Amazon.

Observation:

• An 8-year-old girl presented with abdominal pain, pallor, geophagia, an abdominal mass, and generalized lymphadenopathy.
• No respiratory, dermal, ocular, or neurological symptoms were reported.
• Significant peripheral eosinophilia and moderate eosinophilia in cerebrospinal fluid were noted.

Findings:

• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed toxocariasis by detecting IgG and IgM anti-Toxocara antibodies.
• The atypical clinical presentation included abdominal symptoms and lymphadenopathy without typical toxocariasis manifestations.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering toxocariasis in pediatric patients with unexplained abdominal symptoms and eosinophilia, even with atypical disease patterns.
• Early diagnosis through serology and prompt treatment with albendazole are crucial for favorable outcomes in toxocariasis.
• Highlights the need for increased awareness of parasitic infections in resource-limited settings with potential for zoonotic transmission.