Toxocariasis: clinical and laboratory manifestations in children assisted in a private comprehensive healthcare provider of Montevideo, Uruguay. 2014-2018
Abstract
Introduction: human toxocariasis is a widely distributed parasitosis around the world. Its etiological agents are Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati in a smaller proportion.
Objective: to describe the clinical and paraclinical manifestations of toxocariasis in children younger than 15 years old who were assisted in a private comprehensive healthcare provider in Montevideo between 2014 and 2018.
Method: descriptive, retrospective study of children under 15 years old who were referred to the infectology service between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2018 with a diagnosis of toxocariasis confirmed by ELISA. Variables were age, sex, reason of consultation, clinical manifestations, leukocyte and eosinophils count and associated parasitosis, treatment and evolution.
Results: 20 children were assisted, 11 of them were asymptomatic, 5 evidenced visceral larva migrans (VLM) syndrome and 4 of them presented larva migrans ocular (LMO). 20 patients received albendazon and one of them also received mebendazol. Those whose eyes were compromised also received oral corticoids. Two patients presented loss of visual acuity.
Discussion and conclusions: Most children were asymptomatic, 25% of them consulted for visual alterations whose sequelae represented a potentially preventable severe health problem. We need to make a greater effort to insist on eye control for children since alterations may be detected, avoiding sequelae with an early diagnosis and the right treatment.
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