Toxocariasis: potential association with bronchial asthma, and pneumonia among pediatric children.

Toxocariasis is an underestimated geohelminthic infection which shows respiratory changes concurrent with larval migration. The purpose of the present study was to detect seropositivity in asthmatic and pneumonic children, and in turn to evaluate its association with the children clinical manifestations, laboratory test results, and sociodemographic risk factors. A total of 50 asthmatic, 50 pneumonic children and 50 healthy controls were subjected to stool analysis by direct wet mount and concentration techniques to exclude possible cross reactivity. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count and assessment of eosinophil count. Sera were examined for anti- IgG antibodies, and measurement of total IgE level. Anti IgG was detected in 27.3% (41/150) of the studied children. It was significantly higher in asthmatic group compared to controls (26%. value = 0.033) and significantly highest in pneumonia group compared to both bronchial asthma group (46%. value = 0.030) and control group (10%. value = 0.001). There was a significant association between anti IgG seroprevalence and each of eosinophilia, total IgE and both combined. Anti IgG showed significant higher percentage in asthmatic children who recorded history of soil contact and pets contact as compared to control and pneumonic groups. IgG seropositivity was highly associated with fever, cough, wheezes and dyspnea with statistical significance. seropositivity has to be considered as a vital associated factor for asthmatic and pneumonic children, and eventually better to be considered in differential diagnosis by pediatricians. Further studies are still needed to explore the correlation between toxocariasis and different patient categories.