Toxocariasis in children
Prazić, N.; Richter, D.
Lijecnicki Vjesnik 114(9-12): 231-234
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0024-3477 PMID: 1343123 Document Number: 394106
Ten children with toxocariasis are presented. All were admitted because of high eosinophilia accompanied by minor and non-specific disturbances of the general health condition. There were 6 girls and 4 boys in this series; the age ranged from 21 months to 9 years. Three of the children practised geophagia. Toxocariasis was confirmed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The absolute number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood was 592-29784 per mm3, median 6007 per mm3. Treatment consisted of thiabendazole, 30-50 mg/kg b. i. d. for 5 days. Immediately following the treatment there was an impressive fall in the absolute eosinophil count (142-10660 per mm3, median 837/mm3). However, 2-8 weeks thereafter the eosinophilia rose to high levels again, although somewhat lower than the pretreatment ones. Toxocariasis should be included in the differential diagnosis of high peripheral eosinophilia. The patients are commonly in a good general condition, although an occasional massive invasion may necessitate prompt and vigorous treatment.