Hightlights and Diagnostic Dilemma of Toxocariasis / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Toxocariasis is an endemic parasitic infection and one of the most common causes of peripheral blood eosinophilia in Korea. The clinical manifestation is atypical, which makes it difficult to distinguish toxocariasis from other clinical conditions. Serologic tests for helminthic or protozoal infections frequently show positive results in general population and measurement of serum specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody against Toxocaria canis (T. canis) using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has a problem of cross-reactivity with those helminthes or protozoas in Korea. To avoid problems of cross-reactivity with other helminthes or protozoas and ensure the diagnosis of toxocariasis, western blotting procedure with excretory-secretory antigens from T. canis larvae was recommended.