The significance of the level of antibodies in the evaluation of the effects of treatment of toxocariasis.
The observation of a group of 168 children treated for toxocariasis shows that the most frequent symptoms at the time of the physical examination were abdominal pains--41%; headache was observed in 12% cases. Eosinophilia was found in 9.2% cases. The final diagnosis was based on the results of serological investigation. The level of IgG antibodies was established by the ELISA method using the excretory--secretory antigen of Toxocara canis larvae. A few years of studies lead to the observation that after treatment the return of the level of antibodies to normal is a very slow process--positive results are found in 57% of patients even after 4 to 7 years, and the decrease of the mean titre of antibodies does not exceed 45%. The observations show that examination of the level of antibodies in the way hitherto applied does not provide a satisfactory indication of the positive effect of treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a system of additional laboratory tests that will allow a faster evaluation of the effects of treatment of this disease.
Małafiej
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Department of Clinical Microbiology, Polish Mother Memorial Hospital and Research Institute, 93 -338 Lódź, 281/289 Rzgowska Street.
Spiewak
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D000293:Adolescent; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000871:Anthelmintics; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015766:Albendazole