Human toxocariasis and pyogenic liver abscess: a possible association.
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of human toxocariasis in the pathogenesis of pyogenic liver abscess.


METHODS
We compared the serology for toxocariasis and serum levels of IgE in 16 patients with pyogenic liver abscess to those in 32 matched (age and gender) controls to define the possible association between these two entities.


RESULTS
The serology for toxocariasis was positive in 10 of 16 patients compared with 4 of 32 controls. The relative odds and 95% confidence interval (conditional logistic regression), comparing cases and matched controls, was significant (1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.7) for Toxocara serology. Regarding IgE serum levels, there was no difference between cases and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Human toxocariasis can be one of the predisposing causes of pyogenic liver abscess, especially in tropical countries in which this parasitic disease is common. Treatment of human toxocariasis may prevent morbid complications like hepatic abscess and should be considered in patients with clinical and/or serological evidence of Toxocara infection.
Department of Internal Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
A A
AA
Rayes
D
D
Teixeira
J C
JC
Serufo
V
V
Nobre
C M
CM
Antunes
J R
JR
Lambertucci
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology
D007073:Immunoglobulin E