Toxocariasis in children: analysis of 85 cases in a paediatric hospital in Argentina

Abstract

Background: Toxocariasis is a widely spread parasitic disease. The most frequent clinical form is asymptomatic (AT) although it may present with visceral (VLM), ocular (OLM) or covert (TE) involvement. Aims: To describe the clinical presentation, laboratory, evolution and treatment characteristics of the cases and to compare the various clinical forms of presentation. Patients and Methods: Retrospective analysis of all children diagnosed with toxocariasis attended at the Infectology Service of the Pedro de Elizalde Children's General Hospital between 2012-2019. Results: We included 85 patients. The 63.5 % were males and the median age was 60 months. 49 patients presented AT, 14 VLM, 15 OLM and 7 TE. Children with LMV had lower age and higher eosinophil count. All the cases of OLM evolved with a poor visual prognosis. Treatment with albendazole was indicated in all cases of LMV, in active cases of LMO, in 4 TE and in 3 AT. Conclusion: This study represents one of the largest conducted in our country. The ocular forms had bad prognosis, while the visceral and covert forms had good evolution. It is essential to emphasize the prevention and early diagnosis of the disease in order to establish timely treatment and avoid sequelae.