Toxocariasis; A Neglected Tropical Disease, Association With Asthma, Chronic Urticaria and Unexplained Neurologic Manifestations Among Children

Temsah, Khaled Aly; Mostafa, Mostafa Elshahat; El-Khaleegy, Hany Abdul Hady; El Rifai, Atef Wahdan; Abd Raboo, Mona; Al Shazly, Sherief M.

doi:10.21608/ijma.2020.46359.1192

Toxocariasis; A Neglected Tropical Disease, Association With Asthma, Chronic Urticaria and Unexplained Neurologic Manifestations Among Children

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Parasitology, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

² Pediatrics Department, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

³ Department of Chest Disease, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt

⁴ Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Egypt.

⁵ Department of Neurology, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt.

10.21608/ijma.2020.46359.1192

Abstract

Background: The link between parasitic infestation and allergic diseases or unexplained neurologic manifestations was hypothesized, especially in children. However, the debate continues regarding this link.
Aim of the work: To determine the seroprevalence of toxocariasis in children with different allergic diseases [bronchial asthma and skin allergy], besides the unexplained neurological manifestations [epilepsy and focal neurologic deficits] in children.
Patients and methods: Children with bronchial asthma [40 children], skin allergy [40 children], and unexplained neurological manifestations [epilepsy and focal neurologic deficits], [40 children] were included. All underwent a full history taking, clinical examination, lab investigations, and seropositivity determination for Toxocara canis.
Results:Eosinophilia was reported in 22.5%, 30.0%, and 17.5% of asthma, skin, and unexplained neurological manifestations groups, respectively. In patients with asthma, the prevalence of toxocariasis was 15.0%; in skin disease, it was 7.5%, and in unexplained neurological manifestations, it was 12.5%. There was no significant difference between positive and negative toxocariasis regarding patient demographics. But there was a significant increase in contact with pets, chronic urticaria, lymph nodes involvement, and eosinophilia in positive when compared to negative groups.
Conclusion: The association between Toxocara canis infection and allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, chronic urticaria, and unexplained neurological manifestations [epilepsy and focal neurologic deficits] was confirmed in the present work. The contact with dogs and cats [pets] was the major determinant risk factor explaining such association. Prospective cohort studies were warranted to examine the cause-effect relationship.

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