Eosinophilia in returning travellers and migrants from the tropics: UK recommendations for investigation and initial management.
Eosinophilia is a common finding in returning travellers and migrants, and in this group it often indicates an underlying helminth infection. Infections are frequently either asymptomatic or associated with non-specific symptoms, but some can cause severe disease. Here the British Infection Society guidelines group reviews common and serious infectious causes of eosinophilia, and outlines a scheme for investigating returning travellers and migrants. All returning travellers and migrants with eosinophilia should be investigated with concentrated stool microscopy and strongyloides serology, in addition to tests specific to the region they have visited. Terminal urine microscopy and serology for schistosomiasis should also be performed in those returning from Africa. Eosinophilia is also a feature of significant non-infective conditions, which should be considered.
Checkley
Anna M
AM
Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Capper Street, London WC1E6JB, UK. annacheckley@yahoo.com
Chiodini
Peter L
PL
Dockrell
David H
DH
Bates
Imelda
I
Thwaites
Guy E
GE
Booth
Helen L
HL
Brown
Michael
M
Wright
Stephen G
SG
Grant
Alison D
AD
Mabey
David C
DC
Whitty
Christopher J M
CJ
Sanderson
Frances
F
D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005843:Geography; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D012698:Serologic Tests; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D014195:Travel; D014329:Tropical Climate; D006113:United Kingdom