Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Departments of Clinical and Molecular Parasitology,National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
2
Departments of Clinical Pathology , Pediatric Hepatology, Gastroenterology National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
3
Departments of Nutrition , National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
4
Departments of Clinical Pathology , National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
5
Departments of Clinical and Molecular Parasitology , National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Determination of the prevalence of human toxocariasis is a priority considering the
sustained developmental goals of WHO by 2030 and the recent climatic changes.
Objective: To detect the seroprevalence of toxocariasis among eosinophilic children in Shibin El Kom,
Menoufia Governorate, Egypt.
Subjects and Methods: The study included 300 randomly selected eosinophilic children for whom stool
analysis was performed. Ninety-six of the children positive for other parasitic infections were excluded
from the study to avoid cross-reactivity. The remaining 204 children with negative stool analysis were
subjected to the detection of Toxocara antibodies using ELISA.
Results: Seropositivity of Toxocara antibodies among examined children was 15.7% (32/204); and 84.3%
(172/204) were negative. Their ages ranged from 5 to 17 years, with a mean age of 9.16±3.11 years.
Suspicious clinical history was recorded in 94.1% (192/204) of children; 15.7% (32/204) had history of
recurrent fever of unknown origin; 21.6% (44/204) children were asthmatic; and cutaneous manifestations
were observed in 2% (4/204) of cases. None of the patients had ocular or hepatic disorders. The history
of direct contact with pets was present in 15.7% (32/204) of patients with non-significant differences to
negative children.
Conclusion: Our study reported a relatively higher prevalence of seropositivity to toxocariasis among
children with eosinophilia in Shibin El Kom City, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Implementing studies on a
larger scale would provide more knowledge on the spread of this parasite in Egypt, and enhance advanced
approaches to improve its control.
Keywords
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