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Dimopoulou D, Giorgi M, Dimopoulou A, Agniadis E, Zavras N, Fessatou S, Attilakos A, Papaevangelou V. First case of peritonitis and acute pancreatitis related to Toxocara infection in a previously healthy 5-year-old boy. J Paediatr Child Health 2022; 58:184-185. [PMID: 33686718 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.15438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Dimopoulou
- Third Department of Pediatrics, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Melpomeni Giorgi
- Third Department of Pediatrics, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Dimopoulou
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Attikon University General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleftherios Agniadis
- Third Department of Pediatrics, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Zavras
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Attikon University General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Smaragdi Fessatou
- Third Department of Pediatrics, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Achilleas Attilakos
- Third Department of Pediatrics, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Papaevangelou
- Third Department of Pediatrics, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Abstract
Human toxocariasis is a neglected tropical disease, which is actually global in distribution and has a significant impact on global public health. The infection can lead to several serious conditions in humans, including allergic, ophthalmic and neurological disorders such as epilepsy. It is caused by the common roundworm species Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, with humans becoming accidentally infected via the ingestion of eggs or larvae. Toxocara eggs are deposited on the ground when infected dogs, cats and foxes defecate, with the eggs contaminating crops, grazing pastures, and subsequently food animals. However, transmission of Toxocara to humans via food consumption has received relatively little attention in the literature. To establish the risks that contaminated food poses to the public, a renewed research focus is required. This review discusses what is currently known about food-borne Toxocara transmission, highlighting the gaps in our understanding that require further attention, and outlining some potential preventative strategies which could be employed to safeguard consumer health.
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Giudice PAF, Lescano SAZ, Gonzáles WHR, Giuffrida R, Bandeira FN, Kmetiuk LB, Pires Dos Santos A, Biondo AW, Santarém VA. Serosurvey and associated risk factors of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in bovines from slaughterhouses of southeastern Brazil. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:250. [PMID: 33975623 PMCID: PMC8111975 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04755-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxocariasis, caused by a nematode species of the genus Toxocara, has been described as one of the most prevalent zoonotic helminthiases worldwide. Human transmission may occur by ingesting Toxocara spp. larvae from raw or undercooked meat or organs; however, no comprehensive serosurvey study has been conducted to date investigating the role of cattle as paratenic hosts. The aim of the study reported here was to assess the prevalence of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies and associated risk factors in bovines from two slaughterhouses located in Presidente Prudente, southeastern Brazil. METHODS Blood samples were collected and tested by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cattle farmers voluntarily responded to an epidemiologic questionnaire. RESULTS Overall, 213 of the 553 (38.5%) bovine samples were assessed as seropositive for anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies by indirect ELISA. Multivariate analysis revealed that the source of beef cattle and the presence of dogs or cats at the farm were associated with seropositivity. The use of feedlot systems was associated with lower likelihood of seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate a high level of anti-Toxocara seropositivity in slaughterhouse cattle, with potentially contaminated meat posing an infection risk to humans. In addition, the presence of dogs and cats where the slaughtered beef cattle were raised was statistically associated with bovine seropositivity, probably due to the overlapping environment at the farm and the lack of pet deworming. The use of feedlot systems was a protective factor likely due to the absence of dog and cat contact, elevated feeding troughs that avoid contact with contaminated soil or grass, and younger age at slaughter of feedlot cattle. In summary, bovines may be used as environmental sentinels of Toxocara spp. contamination, and high seropositivity of slaughterhouse cattle may indicate a potential risk of human toxocariasis through the ingestion of raw or undercooked contaminated meat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Andreia Fabris Giudice
- Graduate College in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Rodovia Raposo Tavares km 572-Bairro Limoeiro, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, 19050-920, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rogério Giuffrida
- Graduate College in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Rodovia Raposo Tavares km 572-Bairro Limoeiro, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, 19050-920, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Nobre Bandeira
- Graduate College in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Rodovia Raposo Tavares km 572-Bairro Limoeiro, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, 19050-920, Brazil
| | - Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Andrea Pires Dos Santos
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Vamilton Alvares Santarém
- Graduate College in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Rodovia Raposo Tavares km 572-Bairro Limoeiro, Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, 19050-920, Brazil.
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Jalal E, Metzger M, Surathi P, Pergament KM. Rare case of rapidly reaccumulating ascites. BMJ Case Rep 2021; 14:14/3/e240509. [PMID: 33692065 PMCID: PMC7949365 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2020-240509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Eosinophilic ascites is a rare type of exudative ascites most commonly caused by eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Here, a 57-year-old man presents with sudden-onset abdominal distension associated with nausea, vomiting and decreased appetite for 10 days. Physical examination revealed significant abdominal distention and fluid wave. Initial labs showed leucocytosis and mild peripheral eosinophilia. Imaging of his abdomen revealed severe ascites, no features of cirrhosis and diffuse inflammatory changes involving the jejunum and ileum. Diagnostic paracentesis showed exudative, ascitic fluid with predominant eosinophilia. Cytology of the ascitic fluid and blind biopsies taken during oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and enteroscopy were both negative for malignancy. The ascites reaccumulated rapidly, requiring five rounds of large-volume paracentesis during hospitalisation. Empiric treatment for suspected eosinophilic gastroenteritis with intravenous steroids improved and stabilised the patient's ascites for discharge. Parasitic workup resulted positively for Toxocara antibodies on ELISA. On 2-week outpatient follow-up, a course of albendazole resolved all gastrointestinal symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Jalal
- Internal Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Megan Metzger
- Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Pratibha Surathi
- Internal Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
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Abstract
Toxocara canis and T. cati are among the most widely distributed helminthic species in the world with a high zoonotic impact. Millions of people are infecteda and hundreds of thousands are suffering from toxocarosis, a disease encompassing four different entities: larva migrans visceralis (VLM) syndrome, ocular larva migrans (OLM) syndrome, covert toxocarosis (covT), common toxocarosis (comT) and neurotoxocarosis (NT). Toxocara infections in humans may remain clinically inapparent but may also induce severe diseases. This contribution gives a synoptic overview of the most important historical, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutical aspects of toxocarosis in humans.
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