The Characteristics of Eosinophilc Lung Diseases Cause by Toxocara Canis Larval Infestation.
- Author:
Yu Jin KIM
1
;
Sun Young KYUNG
;
Chang Hyeok AN
;
Young Hee LIM
;
Jung Woong PARK
;
Seong Hwan JEONG
;
Sang Pyo LEE
;
Dong Chull CHOI
;
Young Bae JEONG
;
Shin Yong KANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Eosinophilia; Pneumonia; Toxocara; Parasite
- MeSH: Diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Eosinophilia; Eosinophils; Fluconazole; Glass; Humans; Korea; Larva; Liver; Lung Diseases*; Lung*; Parasites; Pleural Effusion; Pneumonia; Poaceae; Thorax; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Toxocara canis*; Toxocara*; Toxocariasis
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2007;62(1):19-26
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: Toxocariasis is a common cause of eosinophilia and eosinophilic lung disease in Korea. We analyzed the characteristics of eosinophilic lung disease in toxocariasis. METHOD: One hundred and forty one patients with eosinophilia caused by a toxocara larval infection were evaluated from September 1, 2001 through March 30, 2006. The plain chest x-ray, chest CT(computed tomography), and bronchoalveolar larvage(BAL) were examined. A diagnosis of toxocariasis was made by ELISA using that secretory-excretory antigen from the T. canis larvae. RESULTS: Toxocarial eosinophilic lung diseases was diagnosed in 32 out of 141 patients. Ground glass attenuation was the main feature on the CT scans in 23 out of 141 patients (71.9%). Thirteen patients (40.6%) had a random in zonal distribution on CT. Pleural effusion was observed in 9 patients (28.1%). Twenty eight patients (87.5%) complained of respiratory symptoms. Eleven patients (34.4%) had gastrointestinal symptoms and 12 patients (37.5%) had liver infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: The most common findings of the chest CT in patients with toxocariasis was a randomly distributed ground grass attenuation. A toxocara infection should be considered in a differential diagnosis of patients who exhibit pulmonary infiltration with eosinophilia in Korea.
