[Toxocariasis - an underestimated problem in paediatrics].

Aspects of Toxocara spp. epidemiology and paratenic infestation of children are described. Human toxocariasis is caused by infestation of zoonotic roundworms of dogs and cats. Soil sampling showes widespread contamination of the environment, particularly parks and playgrounds, with the eggs of Toxocara spp. Toxocara seroprevelance values in children vary between 3.5% in the West Poland and 19% in the South-East Poland. Children more frequently have clinical symptoms o the disease because of the closer contact with contaminated soil in sand-boxes and relatively frequent geophagia. A 3 years old girl with covert toxocariasis is described. As this case illustrates, this disease can be present without its classic visceral, ocular or neurological manifestations. On admission to the hospital the results of blood tests were as follows: white blood cells count, 43x10(3)/ mm3 (norm <13x10(3)) and hyperosinophilia, 81%. The girl was treated with albendazole 15 mg/kg for five days, after one year the treatment was repeated. The patient was followed with blood samples throughout a period of one and half year. During that time results of serological tests for Toxocara canis were strongly positive. The lowest blood count was 20.0x10(3)/mm3 and eosinophilia, 19%. Possible association between high eosinophilia in toxocariasis and development of allergic and cardiovascular diseases is discussed.