Toxocariasis as a possible cause of allergic diseases in children.

Allergic diseases are common in young children yet the cause of allergy remains unknown in most of them. The association of Toxocara infection with two common allergic diseases in children was investigated. Sera from 60 children (average age 4-6y) suffering from idiopathic bronchial asthma or chronic urticaria were tested for toxocariasis using ELISA test and compared to 30 apparently healthy age matched children . Seropositive children were investigated for evidence of sensitization by measuring serum specific IgE concentration and eosinophil count. The frequency of Toxocara seropositivity was 26.6%, 13.3% and 30% in asthmatic, chronic urticarial and control children respectively. The seropositive allergic children showed significant increase in IgE and eosinophil levels when compared to controls. A contribution of toxocariasis to the allergic sensitization was suggested.