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Minamii T, Nishioka H. Case Report: Toxocariasis Manifesting as Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024; 110:687-690. [PMID: 38442429 PMCID: PMC10993833 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxocariasis is a prevalent zoonosis caused by infection with the larvae of Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati. It ranges in severity from mundane to life-threatening, depending on organ involvement. The lungs are often affected, manifesting as coughing, wheezing, and chest pain. However, pleural effusions rarely occur in patients with pulmonary toxocariasis. We report the case of a 74-year-old man with highly suspected toxocariasis who presented with an eosinophilic pleural effusion and eosinophilia. He developed dyspnea and a right-sided pleural effusion. Thoracentesis revealed an exudative effusion containing numerous eosinophils. The pleural effusion continued to increase, and the eosinophilia rapidly progressed. Although the patient had not recently had contact with animals or known exposure to contaminated food, water, or soil, toxocariasis was confirmed by positive serological test results for anti-Toxocara antibodies in the serum and pleural effusion. The patient was cured with albendazole treatment for 28 days. The pleural effusion and eosinophilia resolved and did not recur. Clinicians should consider toxocariasis in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with eosinophilic pleural effusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Minamii
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Nishioka
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
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Poulsen CS, Yoshida A, Wellbrant TT, Leifsson PS, Skallerup P, Thamsborg SM, Nejsum P. Migratory pattern of zoonotic Toxocara cati and T. canis in experimentally infected pigs. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 43:587-596. [PMID: 38261158 PMCID: PMC10917876 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04753-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over a billion people are infected with Toxocara canis or T. cati, the roundworms of dogs and cats. Historically, T. canis has been considered the main species responsible for human toxocarosis, but as serodiagnosis cannot discriminate between the two species, this remains unresolved. We used pigs as a relevant large animal model for human infection to assess the migratory pattern of T. cati and T. canis. METHODS Pigs were inoculated with T. cati or T. canis eggs or PBS (negative controls) and necropsied 14 or 31 days later. Different organs and tissues were examined for parasites and pathological changes. RESULTS Overall, the two parasite species had a similar migration pattern reaching multiple organs and tissues, including the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and diaphragm. We recovered larvae of both species in the brain, suggesting that T. cati also can cause neurological toxocarosis in humans. Both species induced systemic eosinophilia and histopathological changes in the lungs, livers, and mesenteric lymph nodes. CONCLUSION This study emphasises the importance of T. cati as a zoonotic agent and the need to develop diagnostic methods that can differentiate between sources of infection in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casper Sahl Poulsen
- COPSAC, Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ayako Yoshida
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | | | - Pall Skuli Leifsson
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Stig Milan Thamsborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Nejsum
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, Aarhus N, 8200, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Üblagger D, Auer H, Bezakova M, Kirchlechner V. Toxocarosis in a patient with autism spectrum disorder presenting with severe hypereosinophilia and acute respiratory distress: a case report. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:99. [PMID: 38228848 PMCID: PMC10791809 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08119-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
A boy with known autism spectrum disorder was transferred to our department due to a rapidly worsening respiratory situation. The patient's history revealed previous treatment with albendazole against a Toxocara infection 2 weeks prior in Poland. Blood analysis showed such severe eosinophilia and markedly elevated levels of IgE that, initially, a hematologic malignancy was suspected. However, diagnostic workup including autoimmune diagnostic, molecular genetic testing, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), bone marrow aspiration, and parasitological testing led to the diagnosis of an insufficiently treated Toxocara infection. Treatment with albendazole and prednisone (six cycles for 4 weeks each) was administered. This treatment regime led to prompt improvement of symptoms and normalization of laboratory findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Üblagger
- St. Anna Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Herbert Auer
- Medical Parasitology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Milina Bezakova
- St. Anna Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Kirchlechner
- St. Anna Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Paris A, Hié M, Tadayoni R, Bodaghi B, Touhami S. Cerebro-Ocular Toxocariasis Revealed by Bilateral Cystoid Macular Edema. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2024; 32:127-130. [PMID: 36622871 DOI: 10.1080/09273948.2022.2155844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
DESIGN Case Report Case description: This report describes the case of a female patient diagnosed with oculo-cerebral toxocariasis manifesting initially in the form of isolated bilateral cystoid macular edema. Diagnosis was made by means of positive anterior chamber and lumbar puncture western blots. The unusual presentation, ancillary findings and treatment are discussed. The control of intraocular inflammation that was only partially responsive to steroids was eventually achieved with pegylated interferon alfa-2a. CONCLUSION Isolated macular edema is a rare presentation of ocular toxocariasis. Interferon alfa-2a may prove useful in case of insufficient control of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Paris
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Miguel Hié
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Ramin Tadayoni
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lariboisière University Hospital, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Bahram Bodaghi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Sara Touhami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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Francalanci E, Manciulli T, Bandini G, Blanc P, Bonelli SI, Brunetti E, Gotuzzo E, Cretu CM, Gobbi F, Bartoloni A, Zammarchi L. Visceral larva Migrans in a Young Italian Patient: A Diagnostic Dilemma. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:937-941. [PMID: 37872438 PMCID: PMC10665451 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00723-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association of fever, focal hepatic lesions and peripheral hyper-eosinophilia (FHLH) can be observed in both infectious and non-infectious conditions. Fascioliasis, capillariasis, toxocariasis, all causes of visceral larva migrans (VLM), represent most of the former, whilst lymphomas, eosinophilic leukemias and mastocytosis belong in the non-infectious conditions. METHODS We prospectively followed a young patient presenting with FHLH in the Tuscany region of Italy. RESULTS The patient was subject to serological and parasitological examination in an attempt to clarify the origin of the lesions. Serologies for both Fasciola hepatica and Toxocara spp. were positive, with the latter presenting a higher index. We opted for treatment with a prolonged course of albendazole due to the serological results and being toxocariasis more frequent in our setting. The patient was then subject to radiological follow-up. The patient responded to treatment with albendazole as shown by a decrease in eosinophils, seronegativization for Toxocara spp., clinical and radiological improvement. Toxocariasis was hence considered the most likely diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Parasitic infections cannot be disregarded in the presence of FHLH. Differential diagnosis between these parasitic infections can be challenging due to the presence of similar clinical presentations and serological cross-reactions, and follow-up of the patient is needed to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Francalanci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Tommaso Manciulli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Bandini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Blanc
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Pistoia Public Hospital, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Pistoia, Italy
| | - Sara Irene Bonelli
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Pistoia Public Hospital, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, Pistoia, Italy
| | - Enrico Brunetti
- Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- WHO-Collaborating Center for the Clinical Management of Cystic Echinoccocosis, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Eduardo Gotuzzo
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander Von Humboldt, University Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Carmen Michaela Cretu
- Department of Parasitology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Federico Gobbi
- Department of Infectious/Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Regional Referral Center for Tropical Diseases, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
- Regional Referral Center for Tropical Diseases, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
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Santarém VA, Pinto GLB, de Souza Filho RT, Ferreira IB, Lescano SAZ, Gonzáles WHR, Kosloski J, Ribeiro J, Giuffrida R, Dos Santos AP, Kmetiuk LB, Biondo AW. Risk factors for toxocariasis during incarceration: the One Health intervention approach. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19470. [PMID: 37945589 PMCID: PMC10636119 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45484-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite potential exposure to soil-transmitted helminths, especially when stray dogs and cats are present, toxocariasis in inmate populations remains to be established. Accordingly, the present study assessed the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of toxocariasis at the Women's State Penitentiary of Parana, Brazil. A total of 234/370 (63.2%; 95% CI 58.2-68.0) women inmates and 28/87 (32.2%; 95% CI 23.3-42.6) correctional officers were seropositive for anti-Toxocara spp. IgG by ELISA, with inmates 2.62-fold more likely positive (p = 0.00000026). The univariate model has identified that non-white (OR = 1.58, p = 0.047) and older than 39 years (OR = 1.28, p = 0.032) inmates were associated with mild but significant odds for seropositivity. Elementary or higher educational level was considered a protective factor for seropositivity. The presence of Toxocara spp. eggs was observed in 10/15 (66.7%) collected soil samples by centrifuge-flotation in Zinc Sulfate, and molecular analysis by PCR identified only Toxocara cati in these eggs. An intervention program was established with regular trap-neuter-release, with gradual removal for adoption (donation campaigns), treatment, and euthanasia when necessary (particularly due to advanced sporotrichosis). In addition, an educational awareness agenda was proposed, aiming to reduce soil contamination and accidental intake by the incarcerated population. A total of 40 feral cats were trapped, 20 males and 20 females, mostly adults. After trapping, 36 cats were neutered, treated, and microchipped in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) at the Federal University of Paraná. Five trapped feral cats were euthanized, four diagnosed with advanced sporotrichosis, and one already neutered cat (not herein) with complications due to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Female inmates presented higher seroprevalence for Toxocara spp. antibodies when compared to correctional officers, significantly associated with age, self-declared ethnicity (non-white), and lack of formal education. Despite the non-natural scenario of a state penitentiary, the One Health approach of Toxocara spp. has highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the study and its relevance in understanding the complex interactions between human, animal, and environmental factors, particularly impacting female inmates. Further studies should establish the rate of inmate infection over time while deprived of liberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vamilton Alvares Santarém
- Graduate College in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, 19050-920, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Luís Brucinski Pinto
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná (PR), 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Roberto Teixeira de Souza Filho
- Graduate College in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, 19050-920, Brazil
| | - Isabella Braghin Ferreira
- Graduate College in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, 19050-920, Brazil
| | | | | | - Jully Kosloski
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná (PR), 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Juliano Ribeiro
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná (PR), 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Rogério Giuffrida
- Graduate College in Animal Sciences, University of Western São Paulo (UNOESTE), Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, 19050-920, Brazil
| | | | - Louise Bach Kmetiuk
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná (PR), 80035-050, Brazil
| | - Alexander Welker Biondo
- Graduate College of Cell and Molecular Biology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná (PR), 80035-050, Brazil.
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Geada S, Fonseca C, Proença R. Live Larva in Ocular Toxocariasis. JAMA Ophthalmol 2023; 141:e231018. [PMID: 37589966 DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2023.1018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
This case report describes a finding of a live larva in a patient with a previous diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Geada
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cristina Fonseca
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Proença
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Centre of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Lee Y, Song YS, Phi JH, Kim IO, Kim K. A case report of spinal toxocariasis with extensive tumor-like involvement. Childs Nerv Syst 2023; 39:811-814. [PMID: 36319863 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-022-05674-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxocariasis is a common parasitic infection worldwide. Although it can present as several clinical syndromes, neurological manifestation is rare. Only a few reports are available on spinal cord involvement of toxocariasis. We report a case that presented with gait disturbance due to progressive lower limb spasticity. The patient had had visceral toxocariasis infection 8 years before. A spine magnetic resonance image (MRI) showed syringomyelia along the entire thoracic cord with small nodular enhancing lesions in the mid-portion of the syrinx, which led to the suspicion of ependymoma. Surgical mass removal was performed. However, histopathological examination of the mass did not show any malignant cells; instead, there were numerous axonal retraction balls with an eosinophilic granular body-like appearance. The serum antibody titer against toxocariasis was borderline high. Taken together, these observations led to a diagnosis of Toxocara infection, and the patient was treated with albendazole. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of tumor-like spinal toxocariasis involving extensive lesions. A solid enhancing mass with accompanied syrinx and hemorrhage might be a Toxocara infection. It can easily be diagnosed with serologic tests and simply be treated with oral albendazole if suspected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeji Lee
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Seop Song
- Seoul Gangnam Rehabilitation Clinic, 227 Seolleung-Ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06275, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Phi
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - In-One Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Keewon Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-Ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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Krásný J, Šach J. LASER VITREOLYSIS IN PATIENTS WITH SYMPTOMATIC VITREOUS FLOATERS. Cesk Slov Oftalmol 2022; 79:59-67. [PMID: 37072253 DOI: 10.31348/2022/28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To examine the effectiveness and safety of Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis in patients with symptomatic vitreous floaters. MATERIAL AND METHODS This was a single-centre study of adult patients with symptomatic vitreous floaters who underwent laser vitreolysis. Patients treated between 1/2020 and 10/2021 were included. Intraocular pressure was measured by non-contact tonometry before and one month after treatment. Colour fundus photography, slit lamp examination in mydriasis, best corrected visual acuity, optical coherence tomography, and ultrasound examinations were performed before treatment. The patients completed a questionnaire to subjectively rank the degree of impairment associated with the floaters before and between 1 and 2 months after treatment. RESULTS 89 eyes from 84 patients were included in the study, with a slight predominance of women (53%). A Weiss ring was present in 46%, and other types of vitreous opacity were found in 54%. Before treatment, 69% evaluated floaters as very troublesome (i.e., a value of 4 or 5 on a 1-5 scale). After treatment, 42% indicated subjective improvement (9% viewed the treatment as a complete success and 33% as a significant success). In 33% of eyes there was a partial improvement, i.e., some floaters could still be seen, and in 17% there was no improvement; 8% of patients were dissatisfied with the treatment results. There was no statistically significant difference in improvement between the group with Weiss rings and the group with other types of floaters. The procedure itself and the subsequent observation period were without complications, i.e., no cases of intraocular pressure elevation, cataract formation or retinal complications. Intraocular pressure did not significantly change from the pre-procedure value (p = 0.29). Average best corrected visual acuity after treatment was 0.97, thus it did not differ significantly from the pre-treatment values (p = 0.82). CONCLUSION Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis subjectively improved floater-related symptoms in treated eyes. The lack of an objective measurement of treatment success is a limiting factor. Laser vitreolysis is more suitable for solitary than diffuse vitreous opacities.
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Bustamante J, Sainz T, Pérez S, Rodríguez-Molino P, Montero Vega D, Mellado MJ, García López-Hortelano M. Toxocariasis in migrant children: A 6 years' experience in a reference pediatric unit in Spain. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 47:102288. [PMID: 35247580 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxocariasis is a worldwide distributed zoonosis that affects characteristically children. Clinical presentation is highly variable, often asymptomatic, and treatment duration is controversial. METHODS A retrospective descriptive study (January 2014-December 2019) was performed in a referral Unit for Pediatric Tropical Diseases. Patients younger than 18 years of age diagnosed with toxocariasis were included. RESULTS Out of 931 children screened for toxocariasis, 49 (5.3%) were seropositive. The median age was 11.0 years, 55.1% male and 30.6% referred contact with puppies. Overall, 34.7% were Latin-American, 24.5% Asiatic, 20.4% European, and 20.4% African. Only 34.7% presented symptoms, gastrointestinal the most common (52.9%). The 57.1% of children presented eosinophilia and 50% elevated total IgE. Most cases (95.9%) corresponded to covert toxocariasis. All children were treated with albendazole for 5-14-21 days, and 4 children required a second course. Follow-up data were available in 32 children (65.3%) for a median of 7 months, showing a progressive decline in eosinophils, IgE-titers and ELISA optical density. CONCLUSION Toxocariasis is mostly asymptomatic in children and eosinophilia is not always present. Serological tests should be included in migrant health screening and in the diagnostic assessment of eosinophilia. Eosinophil count, IgE-titers and ELISA optical-density could be useful during follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bustamante
- Department of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Doctor José Molina Orosa, Las Palmas, Spain; La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain.
| | - T Sainz
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain; General Pediatrics and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Red de Investigación Traslacional en Infectología Pediátrica (RITIP), Spain; Centro de Investigación en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - S Pérez
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Hospital de Torrejón, Madrid, Spain.
| | - P Rodríguez-Molino
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain; General Pediatrics and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
| | - D Montero Vega
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Hospital La Paz Madrid, Spain.
| | - M J Mellado
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain; General Pediatrics and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Red de Investigación Traslacional en Infectología Pediátrica (RITIP), Spain; Centro de Investigación en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - M García López-Hortelano
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; General Pediatrics and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Red de Investigación Traslacional en Infectología Pediátrica (RITIP), Spain; Centro de Investigación en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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Xie Y, Sun L, Chen Y, Zhou X, Zhang Z, Ding X. Ocular toxocariasis presenting as leukocoria. Lancet Infect Dis 2022; 22:426. [PMID: 35218757 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(21)00704-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Xie
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Limei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yijun Chen
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhaotian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Soukup J, Cerny J, Cegan M, Kelbich P, Novotny T. Toxocariasis as a Rare Parasitic Complication of a Transthoracic Spine Surgery Procedure. Medicina (B Aires) 2021; 57:medicina57121328. [PMID: 34946273 PMCID: PMC8709433 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57121328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human toxocariasis is a helminthozoonosis caused by the migration of Toxocara species larvae through an organism. The infection in humans is transmitted either by direct ingestion of the eggs of the parasite, or by consuming undercooked meat infested with Toxocara larvae. This parasitosis can be found worldwide, but there are significant differences in seroprevalence in different areas, depending mainly on hot climate conditions and on low social status. However, the literature estimates of seroprevalence are inconsistent. Infected patients commonly present a range of symptoms, e.g., abdominal pain, decreased appetite, restlessness, fever, and coughing. This manuscript presents a case report of a polytraumatic patient who underwent a two-phase spinal procedure for a thoracolumbar fracture. After the second procedure, which was a vertebral body replacement via thoracotomy, the patient developed a pathologic pleural effusion. A microscopic cytology examination of this effusion revealed the presence of Toxocara species larvae. Although the patient presented no specific clinical symptoms, and the serological exams (Enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot) were negative, the microscopic evaluation enabled a timely diagnosis. The patient was successfully treated with albendazole, with no permanent sequelae of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Soukup
- Department of Orthopaedics, University J.E. Purkinje, 401 13 Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic; (J.S.); (J.C.)
- Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Second Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, 150 06 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Cerny
- Department of Orthopaedics, University J.E. Purkinje, 401 13 Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic; (J.S.); (J.C.)
| | - Martin Cegan
- Department of Pathology, Masaryk Hospital Usti nad Labem, 401 13 Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic;
| | - Petr Kelbich
- Department of Biomedicine and Laboratory Diagnostics, Masaryk Hospital, University J.E. Purkinje, 401 13 Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic;
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in Hradec Kralove, Charles University in Prague, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Laboratory for Cerebrospinal Fluid, Neuroimmunology, Pathology and Special Diagnostics Topelex, 190 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Novotny
- Department of Orthopaedics, University J.E. Purkinje, 401 13 Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic; (J.S.); (J.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-477-113-050
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Sandra Guadalupe B, Mario Noé M, Gustavo Esteban P, Norma Yvett G, Karina C, Alma Leticia C, Alan Eduardo H, José Guadalupe H, Álvaro P, Alejandro Gabriel G, Martha P. Detection of antigens and anti-Toxocara canis antibodies in children with different asthma severities. Immun Inflamm Dis 2021; 9:435-442. [PMID: 33559301 PMCID: PMC8127555 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxocara canis can produce or exacerbate asthma, and the detection of anti-T. canis immunoglobulin G (IgG) does not discriminate between recent infection or active larva migrans. In this study, we searched for T. canis third-stage larval antigens (L3 TES) and anti-T. canis antibodies in children with different severities of asthma, controlled or uncontrolled. METHODS A total of 145 patients with asthma who were previously diagnosed using the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines were included. The asthma control was evaluated with the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed for the detection of L3 TES; IgG was detected using sera preadsorbed with Ascaris antigens (native kit), and a commercial kit (IgG) was used as the gold standard. RESULTS L3 TES was found in 2 patients (1.37%). One had L3 TES and anti-T. canis IgG, suggesting active larva migrans. In the other patient, only L3 TES was detected, likely because an infection had begun. The seroprevalence with the commercial kit and native kit was 6.2% and 17.93%, respectively. There was no significant association among asthma severity, ACQ and T. canis seroprevalence (p > .05). CONCLUSION It is possible to detect L3 TES in patients with asthma. Two complementary techniques that can determine the infection status with T. canis and rule out cross-reactions involve the detection of L3 TES and IgG using sera preadsorbed with Ascaris antigen. There was no significant association among asthma severity, ACQ and T. canis seroprevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bautista‐García Sandra Guadalupe
- Servicio de Inmunología y Alergia, Departamento de Consulta Externa de PediatríaInstituto Nacional de Pediatría (INP)Ciudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Martínez‐Gordillo Mario Noé
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Experimental, Subdirección de Medicina ExperimentalInstituto Nacional de Pediatría (INP)Ciudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Peralta‐Abarca Gustavo Esteban
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Experimental, Subdirección de Medicina ExperimentalInstituto Nacional de Pediatría (INP)Ciudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - González‐Bobadilla Norma Yvett
- Servicio de Inmunología y Alergia, Departamento de Consulta Externa de PediatríaInstituto Nacional de Pediatría (INP)Ciudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Clavijo‐Sánchez Karina
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Chávez‐Zea Alma Leticia
- Coordinación del Servicio Social, Facultad de MedicinaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoCiudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | | | - Huerta‐López José Guadalupe
- Servicio de Inmunología y Alergia, Departamento de Consulta Externa de PediatríaInstituto Nacional de Pediatría (INP)Ciudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | - Pedroza‐Meléndez Álvaro
- Servicio de Inmunología y Alergia, Departamento de Consulta Externa de PediatríaInstituto Nacional de Pediatría (INP)Ciudad de MéxicoMéxico
| | | | - Ponce‐Macotela Martha
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Experimental, Subdirección de Medicina ExperimentalInstituto Nacional de Pediatría (INP)Ciudad de MéxicoMéxico
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Avila HG, Risso MG, Ruybal P, Repetto SA, Butti MJ, Trangoni MD, Grune Löffler S, Pérez VM, Periago MV. Development of a low-cost copro-LAMP assay for simultaneous copro-detection of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati. Parasitology 2021; 148:819-826. [PMID: 33593468 PMCID: PMC11010131 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182021000342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease caused mainly by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati and diagnosis in dogs and cats is an important tool for its control. For this reason, a new coprological loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed for the simultaneous detection of these species. The primer set was designed on a region of the mitochondrial cox-1 gene. Amplification conditions were evaluated using a temperature gradient (52°C to 68°C), different incubation times (15–120 min), and different concentrations of malachite green dye (0.004–0.4% w/v). The analytical sensitivity was evaluated with serial dilutions of genomic DNA from T. canis and T. cati adult worms, and with serial dilutions of DNA extracted from feces using a low-cost in-house method. The specificity was evaluated using genomic DNA from Canis lupus familiaris, Felis catus, Escherichia coli, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma caninum, Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto and Taenia hydatigena. The LAMP assay applied to environmental fecal samples from an endemic area showed an analytical sensitivity of 10–100 fg of genomic DNA and 10−5 serial dilutions of DNA extracted from feces using the low-cost in-house method; with a specificity of 100%. Additionally, the total development of the assay was carried out in a basic laboratory and per-reaction reagent cost decreased by ~80%. This new, low-cost tool can help identify the most common agents of toxocariasis in endemic areas in order to manage prevention strategies without having to rely on a laboratory with sophisticated equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Gabriel Avila
- Laboratorio Provincial de Zoonosis de San Juan, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Católica de Cuyo, San Luis, San Juan, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CABA, Argentina
| | - Marikena Guadalupe Risso
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, IMPAM-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina
| | - Paula Ruybal
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, IMPAM-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina
| | - Silvia Analía Repetto
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica, IMPAM-UBA-CONICET, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, CABA, Argentina
| | - Marcos Javier Butti
- Laboratorio de Parasitosis Humanas y Zoonosis Parasitarias, Cátedra de Parasitología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcos David Trangoni
- Laboratorio de Brucella, Campylobacter y Microbiota del rumen, Instituto de Biotecnología/Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IB/IABIMO), UEDD INTA-CONICET, CICVyA, CNIA, INTA Castelar, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sylvia Grune Löffler
- Laboratorio de Leptospirosis, Instituto de Patobiología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Verónica Mirtha Pérez
- Sección de Rabia y Zoonosis, Dirección de Epidemiología, Ministerio de Salud Pública de San Juan, San Juan, Argentina
| | - María Victoria Periago
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CABA, Argentina
- Fundación Mundo Sano, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Omer FM, Awadalla NJ, Alsaleem SA, Alsaleem MA, Moosa RA, Alqahtani MA, Asiri AA, Alahmari EM, Alqahtani AN, Mahfouz AA. Toxocara Awareness Among Medical Practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Ecohealth 2021; 18:107-112. [PMID: 34014415 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-021-01529-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Human toxocariasis is a zoonotic infection with global and regional impacts. Worldwide it is underestimated and clinically overlooked. Medical practitioners are generally unaware of the extent of the resulting disease spectrum. The objective of the study was to assess knowledge and disease awareness among medical practitioners in Aseer, south-western Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire addressing knowledge about the parasite, its visceral larva migrans and the disease spectrum generated was used to interview participants. The study included 285 participants. In answer to the question what is toxocara, only 27%, answered correctly that it is a nematode, paediatricians being the majority. With regard to years of experience among participants, 56.8% of those who answered correctly had less than 5-year experience, as opposed to 35.4% for those with more than 10-year experience. The cumulative awareness about the disease manifestations and spectrum, i.e. those who knew, was less than 30% across specialties and years of experiences. Lack of awareness regarding Toxocara infection and the disease spectrum it can generate is evident. The consequence for such lack of knowledge within our practising medical community is simply unacceptable as it might translate into misdiagnosis and consequently misguided treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fakhreldin M Omer
- Department of Microbiology and Clinical Parasitology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Nabil J Awadalla
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Department of Community Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Safar Abadi Alsaleem
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Abadi Alsaleem
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Riyad A Moosa
- Department of Microbiology and Clinical Parasitology, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed A Alqahtani
- Medical Student, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmageed A Asiri
- Medical Student, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ebtesam M Alahmari
- Medical Student, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal N Alqahtani
- Medical Student, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed A Mahfouz
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Epidemiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
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Pieroni F, Massei F, Micheletti MV, Luti L, De Marco E, Ludovisi A, Casazza G, Bruschi F. Toxocariasis in a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18010283. [PMID: 33401653 PMCID: PMC7795894 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18010283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
A boy affected by autism spectrum disorder was admitted for persistent high fever, without shiver, for two weeks. The boy referred to abdominal pain, in the first week of fever, and to mild anorexia in the last days before admittance to our hospital centre. The father reported that the boy suffered by geophagia and coprophagia and he has been going to a didactical farm (where he has been exposed to several kinds of animals) to improve his neuropsychiatric condition. Blood analysis shows severe eosinophilia and high levels of total IgE, and abdominal echocardiography showed hepatic lesions. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot (WB) confirmed the suspicion of toxocariasis, linked to the habit of the boy to ingest ground or animal faeces in a didactic farm frequented by the boy. Treatment with albendazole and prednisone was administered with a rapid improvement of the symptoms and the laboratory findings and significant reduction of the hepatic lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Pieroni
- Postgraduate School of Paediatrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Paediatric, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-34-89-875-037
| | - Francesco Massei
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (M.V.M.); (L.L.); (E.D.M.); (G.C.)
| | - Maria Vittoria Micheletti
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (M.V.M.); (L.L.); (E.D.M.); (G.C.)
| | - Laura Luti
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (M.V.M.); (L.L.); (E.D.M.); (G.C.)
| | - Emanuela De Marco
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (M.V.M.); (L.L.); (E.D.M.); (G.C.)
| | - Alessandra Ludovisi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, EURLP, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gabriella Casazza
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (F.M.); (M.V.M.); (L.L.); (E.D.M.); (G.C.)
| | - Fabrizio Bruschi
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Parasitic Disease Monitoring Program, AOUP, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Duman Karakuş T, Çelik M, Öztürk Çerik H, Deveci A, Tanyel E. Toxocariasis Presenting with Hypereosinophilia and Lymphadenopathy: A Case Report. Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2020; 44:267-269. [PMID: 33269576 DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2020.6643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Human toxocariasis is a parasitic disease transmitted to humans by ingestion of Toxocara spp. larvae. Rural area residents and children have higher risk for this parasitic infection. The disease is frequently asymptomatic; however, it may cause symptoms such as cough, fever, headache, myalgia or other conditions such as lymphadenopathy and granulomatous hepatitis. Albendazole is used for the treatment of toxocariasis diagnosed by serologic and immunological methods. Herein, we report two cases of toxocariasis that were investigated due to hypereosinophilia and lymphadenopathy for a long time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuba Duman Karakuş
- Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Enfeksiyon Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı Samsun, Türkiye
| | - Merve Çelik
- Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Enfeksiyon Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı Samsun, Türkiye
| | - Hatun Öztürk Çerik
- Sağlık Bakanlığı Ordu Devlet Hastanesi, Enfeksiyon Hastalıkları ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji Kliniği, Ordu, Türkiye
| | - Aydın Deveci
- Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Enfeksiyon Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı Samsun, Türkiye
| | - Esra Tanyel
- Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Enfeksiyon Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı Samsun, Türkiye
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Dewair A, Bessat M. Molecular and microscopic detection of natural and experimental infections of Toxocara vitulorum in bovine milk. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233453. [PMID: 32433671 PMCID: PMC7239449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxocara vitulorum is an Ascarid nematode infecting the small intestine of buffalo and cattle particularly neonate calves, with the postnatal route through milk is the main infection source. However, little is known about shedding rates and the optimum detection methods of T. vitulorum larvae in the milk of the infected bovine hosts. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the use of two methods, microscopy and PCR, and their detection limits both under the experimental and natural infection situations. In doing this, T. vitulorum eggs extracted from naturally occurring adult female worms were successfully subjected to experimental embryonation, and larvae were implemented in experimental infection of milk in ascending infection doses of 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 larvae/2-ml milk samples. With the except of negative control, microscopy-based examination detected larvae in all samples, albeit with means, ranges, and the total number of larvae were detected in exponential rates relative to larvae densities in milk samples. PCR technique corresponded well to microscopy in detecting genomic DNA of T. vitulorum larvae in all milk samples down to a single larva/sample. On the other hand, and by applying the same methodology approach on 50 naturally-occurring bovine colostrum/milk samples, 13 (26%) and 20 (40%) samples were tested positive for T. vitulorum infection by microscopy and the PCR-based detection, respectively. Of these, 11 out of 26 buffalo samples (42.30%) and 2 out of 24 cow samples (8.33%) were tested positive by microscopy, while 16 (61.54%) and 3 (12.50%) of buffalo and cow samples were tested positive by PCR, respectively. By applying the Agreement Coefficient, substantial agreement (0.77) between molecular and microscopy detection was detected from all tested samples. In conclusion, larvae of T. vitulorum were unequivocally detected by microscopy and molecular methods in milk samples both under the experimental and natural field situations. Nevertheless, slightly higher rates by PCR than microscopy were obtained when detecting naturally-infected milk samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in situ detection of larvae of T. vitulorum in the milk of the naturally infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Dewair
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Bessat
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
- * E-mail:
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Lupia T, Libanore V, De Rosa FG. Beware of the dog. Eur J Intern Med 2020; 74:102-103. [PMID: 32089421 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2020.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Lupia
- Department of Medical Sciences, Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | | | - Francesco Giuseppe De Rosa
- Department of Medical Sciences, Infectious Diseases, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Unit of Infectious Diseases, Cardinal Massaia Hospital, Asti, Italy
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Abstract
Human toxocariasis is a worldwide helminth zoonosis caused by roundworms of the genus Toxocara. Toxocariasis is the most common helminth infection in many countries. Disease caused by Toxocara can be classified into five clinical forms: generalised, neurological, ocular, covert, and asymptomatic. The clinical pathology of toxocariasis largely depends on the form of infection, the intensity of the infection, the larvae localisation, and the age of the host. Because histological and molecular examination of toxocariasis is limited by difficulties in obtaining material to analyse, clinical diagnosis is often based on nonspecific tests, such as the detection of eosinophilia and hyperimmunoglobulinemia E (Hyper-IgE). Specific analysis uses an initial ELISA test to detect anti-Toxocara IgG and requires confirmation for all positive results via Western blot. This strategy does not distinguish between actual and recent infections, making the monitoring of disease a challenge for clinicians. Additional research will be required to distinguish active disease from the presence of recent infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Anna Mania
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Wojciech Sluzewski
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Magdalena Figlerowicz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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Kakimoto M, Murata M, Mitsumoto-Kaseida F, Ogawa E, Matsumoto Y, Kusaga A, Toyoda K, Hayashi T, Ura K, Kanno K, Furusyo N, Tazuma S. Toxocariasis Suspected of Having Infiltrated Directly from the Liver to the Lung through the Diaphragm. Intern Med 2019; 58:2737-2741. [PMID: 31178505 PMCID: PMC6794164 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2716-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A 37-year-old woman presented to our hospital with mild abdominal pain experienced for 2 months and hepatic nodules in segments 3 and 8. Peripheral blood eosinophilia was observed, and toxocariasis was serologically diagnosed. Seventeen days after the first imaging evaluation, a new lesion was found in segment 9 of the right lung, which was contiguous through the diaphragm to the hepatic nodule in segment 8. After treatment with albendazole, the liver and lung nodules disappeared. We suspect that larvae had directly invaded the lung from the liver, through the diaphragm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Kakimoto
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Japan
| | - Masayuki Murata
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Japan
| | | | - Eiichi Ogawa
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Japan
| | - Yuji Matsumoto
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Japan
| | - Akira Kusaga
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Toyoda
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Japan
| | - Takeo Hayashi
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Japan
| | - Kazuya Ura
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Japan
| | - Keishi Kanno
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Norihiro Furusyo
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Japan
| | - Susumu Tazuma
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
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dos Santos LM, Donassolo RA, Berne ME, Leite FPL, Avila LFDC, Scaini CJ, Moreira ÂN, Conceição FR. The serodiagnostic potential of recombinant proteins TES-30 and TES-120 in an indirect ELISA in the diagnosis of toxocariasis in cattle, horses, and sheep. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213830. [PMID: 30870519 PMCID: PMC6417707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease that affects humans and animals alike. Although recombinant proteins are widely used for its diagnosis in humans, their performance in companion and production animals remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the serodiagnostic potential of the recombinant proteins rTES–30 and rTES–120 from Toxocara canis in an indirect ELISA for cattle, horses, and sheep. Serum samples collected from the animals were tested with indirect ELISA and Western Blotting using T. canis TES–30 and TES–120 recombinant proteins produced in Escherichia coli, as well as native-TES. In the ELISA, rTES–30 showed high serodiagnostic potential in sheep and horses (92.6% and 85.2%, respectively), while the sensitivity of rTES–120 was higher in cattle and horses (97.2% and 92.6%, respectively). Furthermore, a highly positive association was observed between native and recombinant proteins in seropositive samples, while a moderately positive association was observed in seronegative samples, probably due to the lower specificity of native TES. In conclusion, our study indicates that the use of recombinant proteins in an indirect ELISA is an effective tool for the serodiagnosis of toxocariasis in animals, with the choice of protein being species-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Carlos James Scaini
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, RS, Brasil
| | - Ângela Nunes Moreira
- Department of Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brasil
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kanaan Recuero
- Dermatology Service, Universidade Federal de
Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
| | - Giovana Binda
- Dermatology Service, Universidade Federal de
Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
| | - Ana Elisa Kiszewski
- Dermatology Service, Universidade Federal de
Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre (RS), Brazil
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Felicetti CPD, Sinnott F, Monte LG, Leal K, Conceição FR, Berne MEA, Borsuk S. Diagnostic Potential of Anti-RTE30 Polyclonal Antibodies In A Blocking Elisa For Toxocara canis Detection. J Parasitol 2019; 105:64-68. [PMID: 30807721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The main etiologic agent of human toxocariasis, a zoonotic disease, is the helminth Toxocara canis. Among the diagnostics used for human toxocariasis, ELISA using T. canis excretion and secretion antigen (TES) is considered as a standard technique. TES antigen requires the cultivation of T. canis larvae, which makes its production difficult. Besides this, the use of TES antigen does not eliminate the cross-reactions with other similar proteins that are produced by other intestinal worms. In this context, recombinant antigens are being tested to improve the diagnosis of human toxocariasis. Herein, we describe the production of polyclonal antibodies against recombinant protein TES30 (pAb-rTES30) and evaluate its use in a blocking ELISA (b-ELISA) using human sera. The b-ELISA showed 95.6% sensitivity and 94.4% specificity. Thus, the b-ELISA using pAb-rTES30 offers a viable option for toxocariasis diagnosis owing to its configuration, which prevents cross-reactivity with non-species-specific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Pires Dias Felicetti
- 1 Laboratório de Biotecnologia Infecto-Parasitária, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Francine Sinnott
- 1 Laboratório de Biotecnologia Infecto-Parasitária, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Garcia Monte
- 2 Laboratório de Imunodiagnóstico, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Karen Leal
- 1 Laboratório de Biotecnologia Infecto-Parasitária, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Rochedo Conceição
- 3 Laboratório de Imunologia Aplicada, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Maria Elizabeth Aires Berne
- 4 Laboratório de Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Sibele Borsuk
- 1 Laboratório de Biotecnologia Infecto-Parasitária, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Abstract
Purpose To determine the prognosis for ocular toxocariasis (OT) according to the location of the granuloma and to identify factors associated with its recurrence within 1 year. Methods OT patients were classified according to the granuloma lesion. After grouping the patients as posterior or peripheral, we compared sex, age, intraocular pressure, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), degree of inflammation, immunoglobulin E, eosinophil profiles, recurrence, and complications in each group. We also identified factors associated with recurrence within 1 year. Results A total of 29 (61.70%) patients had granuloma at the periphery, and 18 (38.30%) patients had granuloma around the posterior pole. There were no significant differences in ocular or systemic evaluations except the initial BCVA. The mean decimal BCVA of the posterior pole granuloma group was worse than that of the peripheral granuloma group (p = 0.042). After treatment, the mean BCVA of the posterior pole granuloma group improved significantly (p = 0.019), and the final mean BCVA was not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.673). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that recurrence within a year was associated with age at diagnosis (p = 0.007). Conclusions The initial BCVA of OT patients differed according to the location of the granuloma, but the BCVA after treatment was not significantly different between the groups. Younger age was associated with recurrence within 1 year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-woo Kwon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, St. Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Young Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, St. Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyun Jee
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, St. Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (DHJ); (YKC)
| | - Yang kyung Cho
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, St. Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail: (DHJ); (YKC)
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Kroten A, Toczylowski K, Oldak E, Sulik A. Toxocarosis in children: poor hygiene habits and contact with dogs is related to longer treatment. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:1513-1519. [PMID: 29557502 PMCID: PMC5915510 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5833-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the main clinical signs and symptoms of toxocarosis in children and the treatment results. The study group consisted of 66 seropositive children aged 2 to 16 years, evaluated in an outpatient clinic in north-eastern Poland for 24 months. Male gender and living in urban areas predominated in the study population. Children presented with non-specific symptoms, of which the most common was abdominal pain or tenderness, which was reported by 39 (59%) patients. Absolute eosinophil counts were increased in 32 (48%) children. Total IgE concentrations were increased in 31 of 55 (56%) tested children. All evaluated children received albendazole as a first-line treatment. In 19 cases, additional treatment with albendazole and/or diethylcarbamazine was provided. The analysis of possible causes of prolonged treatment revealed that significant risk factors were geophagia [odds ratio (OR), 6.3; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.8–21.8; p < 0.01] and daily contact with a dog [OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.3–27.3, p < 0.05]. We hypothesise that poor hygiene habits and daily contact with a dog pose a risk of reinfection and limits treatment efficiency. Because of non-specific signs and frequent lack of eosinophilia, physicians should maintain high levels of suspicion for toxocarosis, particularly in patients who live in regions heavily contaminated with Toxocara eggs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kroten
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 17, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Kacper Toczylowski
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 17, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Oldak
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 17, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Artur Sulik
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 17, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
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Ma G, Holland CV, Wang T, Hofmann A, Fan CK, Maizels RM, Hotez PJ, Gasser RB. Human toxocariasis. Lancet Infect Dis 2018; 18:e14-e24. [PMID: 28781085 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(17)30331-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 237] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic nematodes of the genus Toxocara are socioeconomically important zoonotic pathogens. These parasites are usually directly transmitted to the human host via the faecal-oral route and can cause toxocariasis and associated complications, including allergic and neurological disorders. Although tens of millions of people are estimated to be exposed to or infected with Toxocara spp, global epidemiological information on the relationship between seropositivity and toxocariasis is limited. Recent findings suggest that the effect of toxocariasis on human health is increasing in some countries. Here we review the salient background on Toxocara and biology, summarise key aspects of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of toxocariasis, describe what is known about its geographic distribution and prevalence, and make some recommendations for future research towards the prevention and control of this important disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangxu Ma
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Celia V Holland
- Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andreas Hofmann
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Chia-Kwung Fan
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine & Research Center of International Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Rick M Maizels
- Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Pediatrics, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Yunus MH, Tan Farrizam SN, Abdul Karim IZ, Noordin R. A Lateral Flow Rapid Test for Human Toxocariasis Developed Using Three Toxocara canis Recombinant Antigens. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018; 98:32-38. [PMID: 29141740 PMCID: PMC5928741 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Laboratory diagnosis of toxocariasis is still a challenge especially in developing endemic countries with polyparasitism. In this study, three Toxocara canis recombinant antigens, rTES-26, rTES-30, and rTES-120, were expressed and used to prepare lateral flow immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) dipsticks. The concordance of the results of the rapid test (comprising three dipsticks) with a commercial IgG-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Cypress Diagnostics, Belgium) was compared against the concordance of two other commercial IgG-ELISA kits (Bordier, Switzerland and NovaTec, Germany) with the Cypress kit. Using Toxocara-positive samples, the concordance of the dipstick dotted with rTES-26, rTES-30, and rTES-120 was 41.4% (12/29), 51.7% (15/29), and 72.4% (21/29), respectively. When positivity with any dipstick was considered as an overall positive rapid test result, the concordance with the Cypress kit was 93% (27/29). Meanwhile, when compared with the results of the Cypress kit, the concordance of IgG-ELISA from NovaTec and Bordier was 100% (29/29) and 89.7% (26/29), respectively. Specific IgG4 has been recognized as a marker of active infection for several helminthic diseases; therefore, the two non-concordant results of the rapid test when compared with the NovaTec IgG-ELISA kit may be from samples of people with non-active infection. All the three dipsticks showed 100% (50/50) concordance with the Cypress kit when tested with serum from individuals who were healthy and with other infections. In conclusion, the lateral flow rapid test is potentially a good, fast, and easy test for toxocariasis. Next, further validation studies and development of a test with the three antigens in one dipstick will be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Hafiznur Yunus
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Rahmah Noordin
- Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
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29
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Varghese A, Raina OK, Chandra D, Mirdha BR, Kelawala NH, Solanki JB, Kumar N, Ravindran R, Arun A, Rialch A, Lalrinkima H, Kelawala RN, Samanta S. Sero-detection of Toxocara canis infection in human with T.canis recombinant arginine kinase, cathepsin L-1 and TES-26 antigens. Acta Parasitol 2017; 62:775-778. [PMID: 29035863 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2017-0093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Three recombinant antigens viz. arginine kinase, cathepsin L-1 and TES-26 of Toxocara canis were expressed in Escherichia coli and evaluated for their potential in the detection of T. canis larval infection in human in immunoglobulin G-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (IgG-ELISA). Results of the IgG-ELISA with the above recombinant antigens were confirmed with commercially available IgG detection kit for T. canis infection used as a standard test. All three recombinant antigens were 100% sensitive in the detection of positive cases (n = 6) of T. canis infection in human and were screened for their cross-reactivity in human patients with history of Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium vivax, Entamoeba histolytica, hydatid and hookworm infections. The recombinant TES-26 antigen showed higher specificity and cross-reacted with T. gondii infection sera only. However, arginine kinase and cathepsin L-1 recombinant antigens showed cross-reactions with sera of patients infected with T. gondii, P. vivax and E. histolytica but not with the patient sera infected with hydatid and hookworm. These results show that recombinant TES-26 is a potential diagnostic candidate antigen for human toxocarosis caused by migrating T. canis larvae.
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30
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Khoshakhlagh P, Spotin A, Mahami-Oskouei M, Shahbazi A, Ozlati M. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification as a reliable assay for Toxocara canis infection in pet dogs. Parasitol Res 2017; 116:2591-2597. [PMID: 28689247 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5553-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Keeping of infected dogs as pet results in the potential transmission risk factors for shedding helminthic infections such as toxocariasis. Lack of accurate identification of Toxocara canis eggs in non-dewormed infected pet dogs remains a diagnostic concern among researchers. In this study, dog owners were asked to fill up a questionnaire regarding their pets and their attitude towards the deworming regimen. One hundred faecal samples were collected from pet dogs (Northwest Iran) and were subsequently identified by the ZnSo4 flotation technique, PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays. The DNA of the recovered T. canis eggs was then extracted and amplified by LAMP and PCR. Furthermore, ITS2 amplicons were sequenced for appraisal of the phylogenetic analysis. Nine, 5 and 11% of T. canis infections were identified by microscopy, PCR and LAMP, respectively. It was detected that LAMP was 10 times (10-10to 10-13 g/μl) more sensitive than PCR (10-10to 10-12 g/μl). The kappa value between LAMP and PCR indicated a faint concurrence (0.463). The kappa coefficient between LAMP and flotation technique indicated a strong agreement (0.667). The highest infection rate (n = 11) was detected in non-dewormed pet dogs, particularly those less than 3 months old (P < 0.05). None of the infected dogs had a history of walking and kennelled behaviours in public places. The LAMP assay can address as a simple, rapid and highly sensitive technique for detecting low burden of T. canis eggs in infected pet dogs. It was proposed that the dog holder's awareness is insufficient to implement regular deworming schedules. Additionally, regional policymakers should broadly revise anthelmintic treatment guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paria Khoshakhlagh
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Adel Spotin
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Mahmoud Mahami-Oskouei
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Abbas Shahbazi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Maryam Ozlati
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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31
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Duréault A, Perez Valdes C, Weber L, Ogna A, Sempoux C, Manuel O, Delaloye J. [Toxocariasis, a neglected disease in Switzerland ?]. Rev Med Suisse 2017; 13:815-819. [PMID: 28727331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease that occurs when humans are infected by the parasites Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati. Toxocariasis is highly prevalent in tropical areas, but can also be found in industrialized countries, particularly in rural areas. Clinical presentation can range from asymptomatic infection to more severe disease. Diagnosis of toxocariasis is based on suggestive clinical findings, eosinophilia and a positive serological testing. Albendazole represents the first-line treatment, associated with corticosteroids in case of severe disease. Here we describe three clinical cases of toxocariasis in order to illustrate the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of this unrecognized disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Adam Ogna
- Service de pneumologie, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne
| | | | - Oriol Manuel
- Service des maladies infectieuses, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne
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32
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Antonowicz A, Skrzypczyk P, Kępa B, Pańczyk-Tomaszewska M. [Ocular toxocariasis in a boy with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome - a case report]. Pol Merkur Lekarski 2016; 41:192-195. [PMID: 27760094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Toxocariasis is a common zoonosis caused by infection with Toxocara canis or cati larvae. Ocular toxocariasis is one of the forms of infestation found in 1/1,000 - 1/10,000 children. Children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) are at high risk of infections, also parasitic infestations, which can, in turn, cause relapses of the disease. A CASE REPORT We present a case of a 6-year-old boy with steroiddependent nephrotic syndrome. The disease started at age of 2, the boy had 9 relapses of INS, and was treated with oral prednisone, levamisole, and cyclophosphamide. During hospitalization with Xth relapse of INS, he was screened for causes of recurrences and IgG antibodies against Toxocara were found. Fundoscopy revealed white, slightly elevated, and discoloured inflammatory lesions in right retina without inflammation in the vitreous. Ocular toxocariasis was diagnosed. The boy was treated for 7 days with albendazole in the dose of 15 mg/kg/24 h with simultaneous increase of the dose of prednisone to 1mg/kg/24 h. In control fundoscopic examinations there was no progression of ocular lesions. CONCLUSIONS In children on immunosuppressive treatment with possible exposure to animals or raw meet it is advisable to take serological tests for Toxocara infestation also in the absence of clinical symptoms of parasitic infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Piotr Skrzypczyk
- Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
| | - Beata Kępa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Memorial Health Institute of Warsaw, Poland
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33
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Affiliation(s)
- Alparslan Merdin
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Akdeniz University Hospital, Antalya, Turkey.
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34
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Hampel B, Beck BR, Rampini SK. [CME. Eosinophilia - is a worm responsible?]. Praxis (Bern 1994) 2016; 105:365-373. [PMID: 27005729 DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a002291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Hampel
- 1 Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin, Universitätsspital Zürich
| | | | - Silvana K Rampini
- 1 Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin, Universitätsspital Zürich
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35
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Olave AM, Mesa JA, Botero JH, Patiño EB, García GM, Alzate JF. Production and evaluation of the recombinant antigen TES-30 of Toxocara canis for the immunodiagnosis of toxocariasis. Biomedica 2016; 36:39-51. [PMID: 27622437 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.v36i1.2617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxocara canis is a pathogenic nematode of canines which can be accidentally transmitted to humans. Although serology is the most important diagnostic tool for this zoonosis, diagnostic kits use crude excretion/secretion antigens, most of them being glycoproteins which are not species-specific and may cross-react with antibodies generated against other parasites. OBJECTIVES To produce the rTES-30 recombinant antigen of Toxocara canis and evaluate it in the immunodiagnosis of toxocariasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The gene that codes for TES-30 was cloned in the expression vector pET28a (+) using single-stranded oligonucleotides united by PCR. The protein rTES-30 was purified by Ni2+ affinity chromotography. Seroreactivity of rTES-30 was evaluated by immunoblot. Given that there is no gold standard test, the behaviour of the antigen was compared with the method that is routinely used to immunodiagnose toxocariasis, i.e., the conventional ELISA technique using excretion/secretion antigens. RESULTS The rTES-30 was produced from an Escherichia coli LB culture which yielded 2.25 mg/L of the antigen with a purity of 95%. The results obtained showed 73% (46/63) concordance of reactivity between the rTES-30 immunoblot and the conventional ELISA, and 100% concordance with the nonreactive sera (21). Nineteen of the 21 sera positive for other parasitoses reacted with ELISA, while only seven of these were positive with the rTES-30 immunoblot. Concordance between the ELISA and the immunoblot was moderate (kappa coefficient: 0.575; 95% CI: 0.41- 0.74). CONCLUSIONS The data presented show the potential of the rTES-30 inmunoblot for confirmation of possible ELISA positives, not only in epidemiological studies, but also as a candidate for the development of diagnostic tests for ocular toxocariasis in Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Olave
- Grupo de Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
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Anderson JP, Rascoe LN, Levert K, Chastain HM, Reed MS, Rivera HN, McAuliffe I, Zhan B, Wiegand RE, Hotez PJ, Wilkins PP, Pohl J, Handali S. Development of a Luminex Bead Based Assay for Diagnosis of Toxocariasis Using Recombinant Antigens Tc-CTL-1 and Tc-TES-26. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004168. [PMID: 26485145 PMCID: PMC4618131 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical spectrum of human disease caused by the roundworms Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati ranges from visceral and ocular larva migrans to covert toxocariasis. The parasite is not typically recovered in affected tissues, so detection of parasite-specific antibodies is usually necessary for establishing a diagnosis. The most reliable immunodiagnostic methods use the Toxocara excretory-secretory antigens (TES-Ag) in ELISA formats to detect Toxocara-specific antibodies. To eliminate the need for native parasite materials, we identified and purified immunodiagnostic antigens using 2D gel electrophoresis followed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Three predominant immunoreactive proteins were found in the TES; all three had been previously described in the literature: Tc-CTL-1, Tc-TES-26, and Tc-MUC-3. We generated Escherichia coli expressed recombinant proteins for evaluation in Luminex based immunoassays. We were unable to produce a functional assay with the Tc-MUC-3 recombinant protein. Tc-CTL-1 and Tc-TES-26 were successfully coupled and tested using defined serum batteries. The use of both proteins together generated better results than if the proteins were used individually. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay for detecting visceral larval migrans using Tc-CTL-1 plus Tc-TES-26 was 99% and 94%, respectively; the sensitivity for detecting ocular larval migrans was 64%. The combined performance of the new assay was superior to the currently available EIA and could potentially be employed to replace current assays that rely on native TES-Ag.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P. Anderson
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Lisa N. Rascoe
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Keith Levert
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Holly M. Chastain
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Matthew S. Reed
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Hilda N. Rivera
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Isabel McAuliffe
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Bin Zhan
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ryan E. Wiegand
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Patricia P. Wilkins
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jan Pohl
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Sukwan Handali
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail: ,
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Feske SK, Goldberg M, Dudzinski DM, Gonzalez RG, Kovach AE. CASE RECORDS of the MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL. Case 29-2015. A 38-Year-Old Pregnant Woman with Headache and Visual Symptoms. N Engl J Med 2015; 373:1154-64. [PMID: 26376139 DOI: 10.1056/nejmcpc1404335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Lim PKC, Yamasaki H, Mak JW, Wong SF, Chong CW, Yap IKS, Ambu S, Kumarasamy V. Field evaluation of a rapid diagnostic test to detect antibodies in human toxocariasis. Acta Trop 2015; 148:32-7. [PMID: 25910623 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2015.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Revised: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Human toxocariasis which is caused mainly by the larvae of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, is a worldwide zoonotic disease that can be a potentially serious human infection. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using T. canis excretory-secretory (TES) antigens harvested from T. canis larvae is currently the serological test for confirming toxocariasis. An alternative to producing large amounts of Toxocara TES and improved diagnosis for toxocariasis is through the development of highly specific recombinant antigens such as the T. canis second stage larva excretory-secretory 30 kDa protein (recTES-30). The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a rapid diagnostic kit (RDT, named as iToxocara kit) in comparison to recTES-30 ELISA in Serendah Orang Asli village in Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 133 subjects were included in the study. The overall prevalence rates by ELISA and RDT were 29.3% and 33.1%, respectively, with more positive cases detected in males than females. However, no association was found between toxocariasis and gender or age. The percentage sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of RDT were 85.7%, 90.1%, 80% and 93.2%, respectively. The prevalence for toxocariasis in this population using both ELISA and RDT was 27.1% (36/133) and the K-concordance test suggested good agreement of the two tests with a Cohen's kappa of 0.722, P<0.01. In addition, the followed-up Spearman rank correlation showed a moderately high correlation at R=0.704 and P<0.01. In conclusion, the RDT kit was faster and easier to use than an ELISA and is useful for the laboratory diagnosis of hospitalized cases of toxocariasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P K C Lim
- School of Medical Sciences, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - H Yamasaki
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan.
| | - J W Mak
- School of Medical Sciences, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - S F Wong
- School of Medical Sciences, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - C W Chong
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - I K S Yap
- School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - S Ambu
- School of Medical Sciences, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - V Kumarasamy
- School of Medical Sciences, International Medical University, 126 Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Santos PC, Lehmann LM, Lorenzi C, Hirsch C, Telmo PL, Mattos GT, Cadore PS, Klafke GB, Berne MEA, Gonçalves CV, Scaini CJ. The Seropositivity of Toxocara spp. Antibodies in Pregnant Women Attented at the University Hospital in Southern Brazil and the Factors Associated with Infection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131058. [PMID: 26146833 PMCID: PMC4492739 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human toxocariasis is a parasitic zoonosis with a worldwide distribution but is underdiagnosed with an underestimated impact on human health. The ingestion of embryonated eggs of Toxocara spp. present on the hands or in contaminated food or water is the main mode of infection. The only record of Toxocara congenital infection in humans occurred in a premature infant. Helminth infections during pregnancy may be associated with reproductive disorders. Studies investigating the occurrence of toxocariasis in pregnancy are scarce, as is research on the possible implications of these parasites in reproductive health. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxocara spp. in pregnant women and to identify risk factors associated with its infection. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The cross-sectional study of the seropositivity of specific antibodies for Toxocara spp. was performed on 280 pregnant women. Serum samples were examined with enzyme-linked immunoassay. Epidemiological data were obtained through a questionnaire containing information about obstetric history, general life style choices, and the social and economic status of the women. The prevalence of Toxocara spp. IgG in pregnant women was 6.4%. Some of the risk factors associated with the infection were owning dogs (p = 0.003), living in the city centre (p = 0.028), living at the city beach (p = 0.003), and having a family income at or below minimum wage (p < 0.001). There was no association between reproductive disorders and Toxocara seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The seroprevalence of 6.4% for Toxocara spp. in pregnant women shows that there was exposure to the parasite. The study demonstrates the need for attention for the completion of clinical diagnosis parameters, as well as the expansion of highly specific serological studies in different regions to understand the impact of toxocariasis in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Costa Santos
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine—FAMED, Area Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (AICB) Federal University of Rio Grande–FURG Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lis Maurente Lehmann
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine—FAMED, Area Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (AICB) Federal University of Rio Grande–FURG Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carolina Lorenzi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine—FAMED, Area Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (AICB) Federal University of Rio Grande–FURG Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carolina Hirsch
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine—FAMED, Area Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (AICB) Federal University of Rio Grande–FURG Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Paula Lima Telmo
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine—FAMED, Area Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (AICB) Federal University of Rio Grande–FURG Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Torres Mattos
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine—FAMED, Area Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (AICB) Federal University of Rio Grande–FURG Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Priscila Silva Cadore
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine—FAMED, Area Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (AICB) Federal University of Rio Grande–FURG Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Baracy Klafke
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine—FAMED, Area Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (AICB) Federal University of Rio Grande–FURG Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Maria Elisabeth Aires Berne
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Institute of Biology, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carla Vitola Gonçalves
- Obstetric Center, University Hospital of Rio Grande–Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carlos James Scaini
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine—FAMED, Area Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences (AICB) Federal University of Rio Grande–FURG Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Zackoff M, Goodwin E, Arroyo M, Downes K, Unaka N. Revisiting the History: Hypereosinophilia in a 4-Year-Old With Purpura. Hosp Pediatr 2015; 5:399-402. [PMID: 26136315 DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2014-0186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Zackoff
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Emily Goodwin
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Monica Arroyo
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Kevin Downes
- Pediatric Infectious Disease, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ndidi Unaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
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Abstract
Roundworms of Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina are common gastrointestinal helminths of canids over the world. Humans are infected with T. canis larvae through ingestion of infective eggs in contaminated environments or larvae by consumption of raw or uncooked meat or livers. Recently, patients of clinically diagnosed toxocariasis are increasing and require correct diagnosis in Korea. The present study investigated serological cross-reactivity between crude antigens of T. canis (TCLA) and T. leonina (TLLA) larvae. We collected serum specimens from 177 toxocariasis patients who were clinically suspected in the Seoul National University Hospital and 115 healthy controls. An ELISA method for toxocariasis was used to evaluate diagnostic efficacy of TLLA for serodiagnosis of human toxocariasis. The IgG ELISA using TLLA gave 14 (14.3%) positives of 98 TCLA positive specimens among 177 suspected toxocariasis patients. Most of them showed high absorbances with TCLA. In conclusion, there is a partial cross reaction between serum specimens of toxocariasis and TLLA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jin
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chenghua Shen
- Department of Microbiology, Qingdao University College of Medicine, Qingdao, China
| | - Sun Huh
- Department of Parasitology, Hallym University, College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Min-Ho Choi
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung-Tae Hong
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Kim TH, Song MJ, Lee JH, Hong SM. Bleeding from a gastric subepithelial tumor associated with eosinophilia. Gastrointest Endosc 2015; 81:1284; discussion 1284-5. [PMID: 25746982 DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2014.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tae Hyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Joo Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Hoon Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Mo Hong
- Department of Pathology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Varnado W, Johnson A, O'Neal C, Harton A, Lopez FA. Clinical Case of the Month: Hypereosinophilia in a Young Woman with a History of Childhood Asthma. J La State Med Soc 2015; 167:205-208. [PMID: 27159518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Hypereosinophillia is a rare clinical entity. It is associated with a wide differential diagnosis including neoplasm, infection, and allergic etiologies. Clinicians should have a well defined approach to hypereosinophilia in order to find treatable causes. We present a case of hypereosinophillia caused by parasitic infection with Toxocara canis. We also review epidemiology, transmission, microbiology, and management of Toxocara canis.
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44
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Zhang HF, Hua HY, Wang W. PEDIATRIC OCULAR TOXOCARIASIS IN JIANGSU PROVINCE, EASTERN CHINA. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 2015; 46:8-14. [PMID: 26513899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ocular toxocariasis is caused by migration of a Toxocara larva through the posterior eye. We report the first case of pediatric ocular toxocariasis caused by T. canis in Jiangsu Province, eastern China. A 6-year-old girl presented to Suzhou Municipal Children's Hospital with a complaint of right eye redness, minimal white discharge, no photophobia, eye pain, visual impairment, fever or arthralgia. She was initially diagnosed as having conjunctivitis; however, a 2-month treatment with lomefloxacin 0.3% eye drops gave no improvements. The diagnosis was made based on medical history (contact with dogs), clinical features and detection of T. canis IgG antibodies with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anthelmintic therapy with albendazole in combination with prednisolone resulted in improvement of the ocular symptoms. Ocular toxocariasis is rarely reported in China. However, the rapid economic development in China, could mean an increase in pet dogs with the potential increased risk of contracting toxocariasis if no control measures are taken. Disposal of pet litter, deworming of infected pets, complete cooking of meats, thorough rinsing of fruits and vegetables, and good hand-washing may help prevent human infections. Ocular toxocariasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with conjunctivitis that does not resolve with treatment.
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Araujo Z, Brandes S, Pinelli E, Bochichio MA, Palacios A, Wide A, Rivas-Santiago B, Jiménez JC. Seropositivity for ascariosis and toxocariosis and cytokine expression among the indigenous people in the Venezuelan Delta region. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2015; 57:47-55. [PMID: 25651326 PMCID: PMC4325523 DOI: 10.1590/s0036-46652015000100007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed at measuring seropositivities for infection by Ascaris suum and Toxocara canis using the excretory/secretory (E/S) antigens from Ascaris suum (AES) and Toxocara canis (TES) within an indigenous population. In addition, quantification of cytokine expressions in peripheral blood cells was determined. A total of 50 Warao indigenous were included; of which 43 were adults and seven children. In adults, 44.1% were seropositive for both parasites; whereas children had only seropositivity to one or the other helminth. For ascariosis, the percentage of AES seropositivity in adults and children was high; 23.3% and 57.1%, respectively. While that for toxocariosis, the percentage of TES seropositivity in adults and children was low; 9.3% and 14.3%, respectively. The percentage of seronegativity was comparable for AES and TES antigens in adults (27.9%) and children (28.6%). When positive sera were analyzed by Western blotting technique using AES antigens; three bands of 97.2, 193.6 and 200.2 kDas were mostly recognized. When the TES antigens were used, nine major bands were mostly identified; 47.4, 52.2, 84.9, 98.2, 119.1, 131.3, 175.6, 184.4 and 193.6 kDas. Stool examinations showed that Blastocystis hominis, Hymenolepis nana and Entamoeba coli were the most commonly observed intestinal parasites. Quantification of cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6, TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-4 expressions showed that there was only a significant increased expression of IL-4 in indigenous with TES seropositivity (p < 0.002). Ascaris and Toxocara seropositivity was prevalent among Warao indigenous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaida Araujo
- Laboratorio de Inmunología de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto
de Biomedicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas,
Venezuela
| | - Sietze Brandes
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Control, National Institute for
Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The
Netherlands
| | - Elena Pinelli
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Control, National Institute for
Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The
Netherlands
| | - María A. Bochichio
- Laboratorio de Inmunología de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto
de Biomedicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas,
Venezuela
| | - Andrea Palacios
- Laboratorio de Inmunología de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto
de Biomedicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas,
Venezuela
| | - Albina Wide
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical,
Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas,
Venezuela
| | - Bruno Rivas-Santiago
- Unidad de Investigación Médica Zacatecas, Instituto Mexicano del
Seguro Social, Zacatecas, México
| | - Juan Carlos Jiménez
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Instituto de Inmunología, Universidad
Central de Venezuela
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Kim HS, Jin Y, Choi MH, Kim JH, Lee YH, Yoon CH, Hwang EH, Kang H, Ahn SY, Kim GJ, Hong ST. Significance of serum antibody test for toxocariasis in healthy healthcare examinees with eosinophilia in Seoul and Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. J Korean Med Sci 2014; 29:1618-25. [PMID: 25469060 PMCID: PMC4248581 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2014.29.12.1618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2014] [Accepted: 09/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been numerous reports on the relationship between eosinophilia and toxocariasis. The present study investigated seropositive rates of toxocariasis among healthy people with or without eosinophilia in urban and rural areas, and assessed risk factors for positive antibody test. A total of 610 healthy people, who visited health check-up (Medicheck®, Korea Association of Health Promotion), 310 from Seoul and 300 from Gyeongsangnam-do, were subjected for this study. Their serum samples were tested by ELISA with the crude antigen of Toxocara canis larvae. Cross-reactions with other tissue invading helminth antigens were also investigated. Total antibody positive rate of toxocariasis was 8.7% of the 610 subjects. When the subjects were grouped into 3 by their eosinophil counts, the antibody positive rates significantly differed by the groups; 5.9% (18/306) in the group<350/µL, 10.0% (11/110) in the group 350-500/µL, and 12.4% (24/194) in the group>500/µL (P=0.028). A total of 22 serum samples cross-reacted with other tissue-invading helminth antigens. A questionnaire analysis recognized drinking alcohol and smoking as significant risk factors of toxocariasis. In conclusion, toxocariasis antibody positive rate is correlated with eosinophil counts. It is recommended that healthy subjects with eosinophilia by routine health examination and risk factors undergo Toxocara serology by multiantigen ELISA to investigate etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Seok Kim
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Min-Ho Choi
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Hwan Kim
- Department of Environmental and Tropical Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Ha Lee
- Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | - Hun Kang
- Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Gi Jin Kim
- Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung-Tae Hong
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Schneider R, Obwaller A, Auer H. Immunoblot for the detection of Ascaris suum-specific antibodies in patients with visceral larva migrans (VLM) syndrome. Parasitol Res 2014; 114:305-10. [PMID: 25367210 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-4196-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Visceral larva migrans (VLM) syndrome caused by Toxocara canis larvae was first described in the 1950s. The role of other nematode larvae, i.e. the pig roundworm Ascaris suum as a causative agent of visceral larva migrans-associated symptoms like general malaise, cough, liver dysfunction, hypereosinophilia with hepatomegaly and/or pneumonia, was discussed controversially during the last decades. Recent serological screening studies for specific A. suum antibodies carried out in the Netherlands and Sweden yielded remarkable high seroprevalences, while a number of case reports from Japan report pulmonal, hepatic and cerebral symptoms caused by A. suum larvae after ingestion of infected raw meat (liver) or contaminated vegetables. We present here a sensitive and specific larval excretory-secretory (E/S) antigen-based immunoblot (As-IB) for the serodiagnosis of A. suum-infected patients suffering from symptoms associated to the VLM syndrome. In total, 34 sera from patients with hypereosinophilia and other clinical symptoms associated to the VLM syndrome tested negative for Toxocara sp. antibodies but positive in our newly established As-IB, 30 sera from healthy volunteers, 53 sera from patients with clinically and serologically confirmed toxocarosis and other helminthoses as well as 3 sera from patients with intestinal ascariosis due to Ascaris lumbricoides were included in the study. When evaluated with 30 sera from healthy volunteers and 53 sera from patients suffering from different helminthoses, the calculated specificity of our new As-IB is 95%. Problems hampering the establishment of simple serological screening tests for specific A. suum antibodies, like extensive antigenic similarities between the nematodes Ascaris and Toxocara or the absence of suitable experimental animals, are discussed. We assume that specific serological testing for antibodies of A. suum is very important for the treatment of individual patients on one hand and seroepidemiological investigations will help to clarify routes of transmission on the other hand. Further studies will be necessary to learn more about the extent of A. suum as a causative agent of the VLM syndrome and the role of pigs and their manure as the main source of human Ascaris infections in Austria and other industrialized countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renate Schneider
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1095, Vienna, Austria
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Ahn SJ, Woo SJ, Jin Y, Chang YS, Kim TW, Ahn J, Heo JW, Yu HG, Chung H, Park KH, Hong ST. Clinical features and course of ocular toxocariasis in adults. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2938. [PMID: 24922534 PMCID: PMC4055477 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the clinical features, clinical course of granuloma, serologic findings, treatment outcome, and probable infection sources in adult patients with ocular toxocariasis (OT). Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we examined 101 adult patients diagnosed clinically and serologically with OT. Serial fundus photographs and spectral domain optical coherence tomography images of all the patients were reviewed. A clinic-based case-control study on pet ownership, occupation, and raw meat ingestion history was performed to investigate the possible infection sources. Results Among the patients diagnosed clinically and serologically with OT, 69.6% showed elevated immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Granuloma in OT involved all retinal layers and several vitreoretinal comorbidities were noted depending on the location of granuloma: posterior pole granuloma was associated with epiretinal membrane and retinal nerve fiber layer defects, whereas peripheral granuloma was associated with vitreous opacity. Intraocular migration of granuloma was observed in 15 of 93 patients (16.1%). Treatment with albendazole (400 mg twice a day for 2 weeks) and corticosteroids (oral prednisolone; 0.5–1 mg/kg/day) resulted in comparable outcomes to patients on corticosteroid monotherapy; however, the 6-month recurrence rate in patients treated with combined therapy (17.4%) was significantly lower than that in patients treated with corticosteroid monotherapy (54.5%, P = 0.045). Ingestion of raw cow liver (80.8%) or meat (71.2%) was significantly more common in OT patients than healthy controls. Conclusions Our study discusses the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies for OT. Evaluation of total IgE, in addition to anti-toxocara antibody, can assist in the serologic diagnosis of OT. Combined albendazole and corticosteroid therapy may reduce intraocular inflammation and recurrence. Migrating feature of granuloma is clinically important and may further suggest the diagnosis of OT. Clinicians need to carefully examine comorbid conditions for OT. OT may be associated with ingestion of uncooked meat, especially raw cow liver, in adult patients. Toxocariasis is one of America's most common neglected infections of poverty and a helminthiasis of global importance. Little is known about the epidemiologic, demographic, and clinical features of ocular toxocariasis (OT) in adult patients, and the treatment regimen for OT has not been standardized. We conducted a retrospective cohort study examining the clinical features, serologic markers, clinical course of granuloma, probable infection sources, and treatment outcome in 101 adult patients diagnosed clinically and serologically with OT. All the patients had unilateral involvement. Ninety-three (92.1%) and 78 (77.2%) of 101 adult patients had retinal granuloma and intraocular inflammation, respectively. In addition to retinal granuloma, retinal nerve fiber layer defect, epiretinal membrane, vitreous opacity, retinal detachment, macular edema, and macular hole were observed in the eyes with OT. Granuloma in OT can involve all retinal layers, and its intraocular migration was observed in 15 patients (16.1%). Among the 101 patients, 69.6% and 11.6% showed elevated immunoglobulin E levels and eosinophilia, respectively. We believe that OT may be associated with ingestion of uncooked meat, especially cow liver, in adult patients. Furthermore, we suggest that combined albendazole and corticosteroid therapy may reduce intraocular inflammation and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Joon Ahn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Se Joon Woo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
- * E-mail:
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon-Seok Chang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Tae Wan Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeeyun Ahn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jang Won Heo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeong Gon Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hum Chung
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyu Hyung Park
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Sung Tae Hong
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Woodhall D, Jones JL, Cantey PT, Wilkins PP, Montgomery SP. Neglected parasitic infections: what every family physician needs to know. Am Fam Physician 2014; 89:803-811. [PMID: 24866216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Neglected parasitic infections, including Chagas disease, toxocariasis, cysticercosis, and toxoplasmosis, affect millions of persons in the United States. Relatively few resources have been devoted to surveillance, prevention, and treatment of these diseases. Chagas disease primarily affects Latin American immigrants and can cause heart failure and death if not treated. Immediate antiparasitic treatment is indicated for most patients with acute Chagas disease. Treatment is recommended for patients younger than 18 years who have chronic Chagas disease and is generally recommended for adults younger than 50 years who do not have advanced cardiomyopathy; treatment decisions for other patients should be made on an individual basis. Toxocariasis primarily affects children and can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory, and ophthalmologic disease. Treatment options include albendazole and mebendazole. Patients with ocular infection require referral to an ophthalmologist. Neurocysticercosis, a form of cysticercosis, is the most common infectious cause of seizures in some parts of the United States. Initial treatment should focus on symptom control. Humans generally acquire toxoplasmosis by eating undercooked contaminated meat or ingesting things that have been contaminated with cat feces. Congenital infection can result in miscarriage or adverse fetal effects. Treatment is recommended for immunosuppressed persons, pregnant women, and immunocompetent persons with severe symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Woodhall
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Jones
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Paul T Cantey
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Woodhall DM, Eberhard ML, Parise ME. Neglected parasitic infections in the United States: toxocariasis. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2014; 90:810-813. [PMID: 24808249 PMCID: PMC4015569 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxocariasis is a preventable parasitic disease that is caused by the dog and cat roundworms Toxocara cani and T. cati, respectively. Humans become infected when they accidently ingest infectious Toxocara eggs commonly found in contaminated soil; children are most often affected. Clinical manifestations of Toxocara infection in humans include ocular toxocariasis and visceral toxocariasis. Although infection with Toxocara can cause devastating disease, the burden of toxocariasis in the United States population remains unknown. In addition, risk factors for acquiring infection need to be better defined, and research needs to be conducted to better understand the pathophysiology and clinical course of toxocariasis. Development of diagnostic tests would enable clinicians to detect active infection, and determination of optimal drug regiments would ensure patients were appropriately treated. Addressing these public health gaps is necessary to understand and address the impact of toxocariasis in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana M. Woodhall
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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