CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 42, no. 1, 2016

Toxocariasis, Intestinal Parasitoses and Eosinophilia in Schoolchildren from Argentina

[Original Paper]

MARIA LAURA CIARMELA(1), BETINA CECILIA PEZZANI(1), MARTA CECILIA MINVIELLE(1)

1)School of Medical Sciences. National University of La Plata, Argentina


Abstract:

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.


Keywords: toxocariasis, intestinal parasitosis, children, Argentina



Corresponding: Marta C. Minvielle. School of Medical Sciences. National University of La Plata. Calle 60 y 120. La Plata (CP 1900). Argentina. Tel: +54-221-4258987; e-mail: mminviel@med.unlp.edu.ar


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.42.01.01 - Download PDF
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