infectious diseases
Toxocariasis
Diagnosis of Toxocariasis
Enzyme immunoassay for antibodies againstToxocaraplus clinical findings Diagnosis of toxocariasis is based on clinical, epidemiologic, and serologic findings. Forvisceral larva migrans (VLM),enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for antibodies againstToxocarais recommended to confirm the diagnosis. Isoagglutinins may be elevated, but the finding is nonspecific. CT or MRI can show multiple, ill-defined, 1.0- to 1.5-cm oval lesions scattered in the liver or poorly defined subpleural nodules in the chest. Hypergammaglobulinemia, leukocytosis, and marked Eosinophilia are common in VLM. Biopsies of the liver or other affected organs may show eosinophilic granulomatous reactions, but larvae are difficult to find in tissue sections and biopsies are low yield. Stool examinations are worthless. Forocular larva migrans (OLM),ophthalmologic expertise is essential for diagnosis. Granulomatous reactions appear as oval, white lesions in the posterior pole or periphery of the retina. Some patients present with endophthalmitis manifesting as a red, painful eye with diffuse intraocular inflammation. antibodies and characteristic ophthalmologic findings are helpful in differentiating OLM from Retinoblastoma and preventing unnecessary surgical enucleation of the eye. Unfortunately anti- 