How common is human toxocariasis? Towards standardizing our knowledge.
Our understanding of the global impact and cost of human toxocariasis is poor because there is insufficient clinical awareness and no clear repository for the efficacy of clinical, laboratory and treatment interventions. Uniform clinical and laboratory investigative approaches maximize disease diagnosis. International collaboration is required to develop web-based, professional educational support, surveillance questionnaires and standardized serodiagnostic criteria. Determining clinical benefits and treatment outcomes using less crossreactive antigens will enhance clinical and treatment interventions. Increased liaison will identify realistic occurrence and prevalence data and cost benefits of intervention. Web-based centres of excellence and repositories of current knowledge, which augment current veterinary and public health educational sites, should be supported. Expected outcomes should be capable of addressing the clinical and financial burdens of this treatable disease.
Smith
Huw
H
Scottish Parasite Diagnostic Laboratory, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow G21 3UW, UK. huw.smith@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Holland
Celia
C
Taylor
Mervyn
M
Magnaval
J-F
JF
Schantz
Peter
P
Maizels
Rick
R
D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000276:immunology; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods; D014119:Toxocara / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents