Clinical Spectrum of Toxocariasis: A Retrospective Study From a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2025

Publication Title

Future Microbiol

Abstract

AIMS: Toxocariasis is a prevalent zoonotic disease worldwide caused primarily by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati. Despite its prevalence, studies focusing on clinical manifestations, and laboratory findings of toxocariasis in the Middle East North African (MENA) region are limited, highlighting a significant gap in research. The aim of this study is to describe the spectrum of toxocariasis observed at a tertiary center in Lebanon and review the geographic distribution of infected individuals and their demographics.

METHODS: The medical records of 225 patients who tested positive for Toxocara IgG via ELISA between 2002 and 2022 at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) were reviewed.

RESULTS: 141/225 patients had confirmed positive Toxocara-specific IgG by Western blot. These patients were mostly middle-aged, with a mean of 46  years and predominantly males. Most were Lebanese (95.3%), residing in Mount Lebanon or Beirut governates. Patients were mainly symptomatic (78.5%), and the most common presenting symptoms were neurological complaints. For those with Toxocara myelitis (23 patients), spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings showed focal lesions (54.5%) mostly at the thoracic vertebrae.

CONCLUSIONS: Given the challenges associated with diagnosing this disease, further studies are essential to enhance our understanding of toxocariasis in the region. Toxocariasis is a common parasitic disease caused by Toxocara worms. These worms infect dogs and cats. Our study looked at the cases of toxocariasis at a hospital in Lebanon between 2002 and 2022 and reported 141 cases. Most patients (78.5%) had symptoms on presentation, with many complaining of neurological symptoms including headache, numbness or weakness. Among these patients, 23 had signs of infection in their spine. The majority of the infected patients were Lebanese (95.3%) and lived in specific areas of Lebanon. Because diagnosing this disease can be difficult, more research is needed to better understand toxocariasis in Lebanon and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Lebanon; Toxocariasis; Male; Tertiary Care Centers; Female; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Adult; Animals; Immunoglobulin G; Young Adult; Antibodies, Helminth; Adolescent; Aged; Child; Toxocara; Child, Preschool; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Toxocara canis; Aged, 80 and over

PubMed ID

40080036

ePublication

ePub ahead of print

Volume

20

Issue

5

First Page

419

Last Page

427

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