Toxocariasis; A Neglected Tropical Disease, Association With Asthma, Chronic Urticaria and Unexplained Neurologic Manifestations Among Children | ||
| International Journal of Medical Arts | ||
| Article 4, Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2021, Pages 922-929 PDF (1017.96 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ijma.2020.46359.1192 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Khaled Aly Temsah* 1; Mostafa Elshahat Mostafa1; Hany Abdul Hady El-Khaleegy2; Atef Wahdan El Rifai3; Mona Abd Raboo4; Sherief M. Al shazly5 | ||
| 1Department of Parasitology, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt | ||
| 2Pediatrics Department, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt | ||
| 3Department of Chest Disease, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt | ||
| 4Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Egypt. | ||
| 5Department of Neurology, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt. | ||
| 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. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Bronchial asthma; Children; Toxocariasis; Epilepsy; Chronic urticaria | ||
|
Statistics Article View: 723 PDF Download: 515 |
||
