Toxocara canis infection presenting as eosinophilic ascites and gastroenteritis

Eosinophilic ascites is rarely observed in clinical practice. It may be associated with the serosal type of eosinophilic gastroenteritis, abdominal lymphoma, hypereosinophilic syndrome, or peritoneal dialysis but is uncommonly related to parasitic infections. We report a case of a previously healthy young patient who developed diarrhea and exudative eosinophilic ascites. The final diagnosis was consistent with a parasitic infection due to Toxocara canis, while the clinical and radiological findings suggested an eosinophilic gastroenteritis. The diagnostic approach, especially parasitic serological data, which must be carefully interpreted, are discussed; in addition, the possible pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the production of ascites are evoked.