Title of article :
Clinical and Laboratory Findings among Patients with Toxocariasis in Medic Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 2017-2019
Author/Authors :
Vinh Phuc, Le Dinh Medic Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam , Loi, Cao Ba Scientific and Training Management Department - National Institute of Malaria - Parasitology and Entomology of Vietnam, Ha Noi, Vietnam , Hong Quang, Huynh Institute of Malariology - Parasitology and Entomology Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh, Vietnam , Vinh, Le Duc Medical Parasitology Unit - Department of Fundamental Sciences and Basic Medical Sciences - The University of Medicine Pham Ngoc Thach - Infectious E Department, Hospital for Tropical Disease, Nghe An, Vietnam , Truong Sinh, Cao Vinh Medical University, Nghe An, Vietnam , Van Du, Vu National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ha Noi, Vietnam , Anh Tram, Que Department of Tropical Diseases - Vinh Hospital of Friendship General, Vinh, Nghe An, Vietnam , Minh Quang, Khong National Hospital for Tropical Disease, Ha Noi, Vietnam , Xuan Hai, Tang Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Nghe An, Vietnam , Le, Tran-Anh Department of Parasitology - Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi, Vietnam
Abstract :
Background: Human toxocariasis is prevalent in many countries but this disease has been rarely reported
from Vietnam. We aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory findings and assess possible association
between these findings in patients with toxocariasis in Vietnam.
Methods: A prospectively study, between October 2017 and June 2019 was performed involving 120 toxocariasis
patients at Medic Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The diagnosis of toxocariasis was
established based on clinical, laboratory (eosinophilia, raised IgE concentration) and serological (positive
Toxocara IgG ELISA test) evaluation as well as the exclusion of other helminthic coinfection.
Results: The most frequently reported manifestation was of skin (n = 93, 77.5%), including urticarial (n=
69, 57.5%) followed by neurologic, gastrointestinal and pulmonary signs/symptoms. Hepatic involvement
occurred in 8.3% of the patients. No significant relationship between clinical findings and laboratory parameters
was found except the higher values of eosinophil count and IgE concentration among patients
with liver involvement. There was a significant relationship between eosinophil count and IgE concentration
(r=0.389, P<0.001). Serological findings did not show a correlation with clinical and other laboratory
findings.
Conclusion: Our data revealed a wide range of clinical symptoms/signs and a high incidence of skin manifestations
in patients with toxocariasis. Eosinophil count and IgE concentration are valuable markers for the
evaluation of the disease.
Keywords :
Toxocariasis , Clinical characteristics , Eosinophilia , IgE concentration , Vietnam
