ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Eosinophils may suggest the presence of a great variety of anomalies whereupon allergies, malignancies, certain tissue disorders, idiopathic hypereosynophilic syndrome and parasitic infections (with the exception of protozoons) can be cited as a few. Although the clinical manifestations may differ, the eosinophils level is quite an important data in cases related to the helminth infections. Similarly, in parasitic infections related to larva migrans (visceral, cutaneous, ocular), the eosinophils level is again a primary indicator and its evident cause is the roundworm Toxocara spp. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance characteristics of Toxocara spp. in patients with eosonophilia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, serums were collected from 93 patients of various age groups with eosonophilia (10% and above) while visiting Istanbul University Medical Faculty due to various complaints. RESULTS: Serum samples were treated with Toxocara IgG ready ELISA kit and Toxocara western blot IgG ready kit. Based on the ELISA method; out of 93 patients, 30 patients (32.3%) were positive. Western blot technique; 45 (48.4%) were positive with anti-toxocara IgG antibodies. CONCLUSION: Results point out to western blot technique being more sensitive and superior on a scale of (P < 0.0001) when compared with the ELISA method.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Helminth/blood , Blotting, Western/methods , Eosinophilia/etiology , Eosinophilia/immunology , Toxocara canis/immunology , Toxocariasis/diagnosis , Toxocariasis/immunology , Animals , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
Schistosomiasis is a chronic, parasitic disease and is endemic in some countries, primarily in Africa, Latin America and Asia. In some regions, Schistosoma haematobium is one of the principal causes of haematuria. In Turkey, due to the increasing amount of travel to and from endemic regions, the number of cases is also rising. We report a case of a 22-year-old Nigerian male who was admitted to our hospital with haematuria. Direct microbiological examination revealed S. haematobium eggs in his urine specimen. Schistosomiasis was diagnosed by pathology testing. Schistosomiasis has not been seen frequently in Turkey, and we therefore discuss the epidemiology, treatment options and clinical importance of S. haematobium.