PURSE 1996

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The Role of Toxocariasis in Childhood Wheezing
(University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 1996-08-10) Jayasena, L.; Jiffry, M. N.; Wijesundera, M.; Ranaweera, R. L. A. R.
With the introduction of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Toxocara canis antigen it has been shown that Toxocariasis is commoner than previously believed to be. Dogs in Sri Lanka are known to be heavily infected with Toxocara canis and man gets infected by ingestion of infective eggs in the soil, or on contaminated hands. Children especially with poor hygienic habits are at increased risk of developing Toxocariasis. Wheeze is common during childhood, and it is a known clinical manifestation of Toxocariasis. A study was undertaken to determine whether Toxocara canis infection is a significant aetiological factor in childhood wheezing. The study group consisted of children aged six months to ten years admitted with wheezing/asthma, during the same period. A questionnaire was used to obtain basic data. White blood cell counts and Toxocara antibody tests ELISA technique were done on the patients and the controls. 18 (24.6%) Children out of a total of 73 were found seropositive in the test group as compared to 10 (17%) out of 59 in the control group.