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Frequency of Toxocariasis among Patients Clinically Suspected to Have Visceral Toxocariasis: A Retrospective Descriptive Study in Sri Lanka
Joint Authors
Iddawela, Devika
Ehambaram, Kiruthiha
Atapattu, Dhilma
Pethiyagoda, Kalyani
Bandara, Lakmalee
Source
Journal of Parasitology Research
Issue
Vol. 2017, Issue 2017 (31 Dec. 2017), pp.1-6, 6 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2017-12-06
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
6
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Introduction.
Human toxocariasis is caused by several species of the nematode Toxocara.
Two common clinical syndromes are ocular and visceral larva migrans.
Objectives.
To determine the Toxocara antibody positivity in clinically suspected VLM patients and to describe demographic factors and clinical manifestations of seropositive patients.
Methods.
522 clinically suspected patients were studied between 1993 and 2014.
Relevant data was gathered from referral letters.
Serum samples were subjected to Toxocara antigen ELISA.
Results.
Overall, seropositivity was 50.2% (262), of which 109 (40.8%) were positive at high level of Toxocara antibody carriage and 153 (58.4%) were positive at low levels.
The seropositives ranged from 3 months to 70 years (mean = 7.8).
Younger age group had higher levels of seropositivity and it was statistically significant.
Majority of children under 5 years were seropositive (47.7%, n=125).
Seropositivity was common in males (55.3%, n=145).
Clinical manifestations of seropositives include lymphadenopathy (24.1%) skin rash (22.5%), dyspnoea (21.7%), fever (21%), hepatosplenomegaly (9.2%), and abdominal pain (3.8%).
197 (75.2%) seropositive cases had eosinophilia.
These symptoms were not statistically significant.
Conclusions.
This study confirms toxocariasis as an important cause of childhood ill health identifying common clinical symptoms recommending preventive measures to limit transmission.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Iddawela, Devika& Ehambaram, Kiruthiha& Atapattu, Dhilma& Pethiyagoda, Kalyani& Bandara, Lakmalee. 2017. Frequency of Toxocariasis among Patients Clinically Suspected to Have Visceral Toxocariasis: A Retrospective Descriptive Study in Sri Lanka. Journal of Parasitology Research،Vol. 2017, no. 2017, pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1186208
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Iddawela, Devika…[et al.]. Frequency of Toxocariasis among Patients Clinically Suspected to Have Visceral Toxocariasis: A Retrospective Descriptive Study in Sri Lanka. Journal of Parasitology Research No. 2017 (2017), pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1186208
American Medical Association (AMA)
Iddawela, Devika& Ehambaram, Kiruthiha& Atapattu, Dhilma& Pethiyagoda, Kalyani& Bandara, Lakmalee. Frequency of Toxocariasis among Patients Clinically Suspected to Have Visceral Toxocariasis: A Retrospective Descriptive Study in Sri Lanka. Journal of Parasitology Research. 2017. Vol. 2017, no. 2017, pp.1-6.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1186208
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1186208