The Characteristics of Eosinophilc Lung Diseases Cause by Toxocara Canis Larval Infestation. |
Yu Jin Kim, 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 |
1Department of Internal Medicine Gachon University, Gil Medical Center, Korea. drsplee@gachon.ac.kr 2Department of Internal Medicine Sungkyunkwan University, Korea. 3Department of Parasitology, Cheju National University, Korea. 4Department of Parasitology, Chung Ang University, Korea. |
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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. |
Key Words:
Eosinophilia, Pneumonia, Toxocara, Parasite |
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