Toxocarosis in children: poor hygiene habits and contact with dogs is related to longer treatment

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the main clinical signs and symptoms of toxocarosis in children and the treatment results. The study group consisted of 66 seropositive children aged 2 to 16 years, evaluated in an outpatient clinic in north-eastern Poland for 24 months. Male gender and living in urban areas predominated in the study population. Children presented with non-specific symptoms, of which the most common was abdominal pain or tenderness, which was reported by 39 (59%) patients. Absolute eosinophil counts were increased in 32 (48%) children. Total IgE concentrations were increased in 31 of 55 (56%) tested children. All evaluated children received albendazole as a first-line treatment. In 19 cases, additional treatment with albendazole and/or diethylcarbamazine was provided. The analysis of possible causes of prolonged treatment revealed that significant risk factors were geophagia [odds ratio (OR), 6.3; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.8–21.8; p < 0.01] and daily contact with a dog [OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.3–27.3, p < 0.05]. We hypothesise that poor hygiene habits and daily contact with a dog pose a risk of reinfection and limits treatment efficiency. Because of non-specific signs and frequent lack of eosinophilia, physicians should maintain high levels of suspicion for toxocarosis, particularly in patients who live in regions heavily contaminated with Toxocara eggs.