Introduction Human toxocariasis is caused by several species of the nematode Toxocara. Two common clinical syndromes are ocular and visceral larva migrans. Objectives To determine the Toxocara antibody positivity in clinically suspected VLM patients and to describe demographic factors and clinical manifestations of seropositive patients. Methods 522 clinically suspected patients were studied between 1993 and 2014. Relevant data was gathered from referral letters. Serum samples were subjected to Toxocara antigen ELISA. Results Overall, seropositivity was 50.2% (262), of which 109 (40.8%) were positive at high level of Toxocara antibody carriage and 153 (58.4%) were positive at low levels. The seropositives ranged from 3 months to 70 years (mean = 7.8). Younger age group had higher levels of seropositivity and it was statistically significant. Majority of children under 5 years were seropositive (47.7%, n = 125). Seropositivity was common in males (55.3%, n = 145). Clinical manifestations of seropositives include lymphadenopathy (24.1%) skin rash (22.5%), dyspnoea (21.7%), fever (21%), hepatosplenomegaly (9.2%), and abdominal pain (3.8%). 197 (75.2%) seropositive cases had eosinophilia. These symptoms were not statistically significant. Conclusions This study confirms toxocariasis as an important cause of childhood ill health identifying common clinical symptoms recommending preventive measures to limit transmission.
Background Urinary tract stones are one of the major problems in present urology practice. As it mostly affects working age group, it is a major socioeconomic burden for the society. In this study our objective was to determine knowledge, attitude and practice on urolithiasis among patients who presented to the OPD of the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya and to compare the difference in between patients who had stones previously and not had stones. Methods This was a descriptive cross sectional study. We distributed a self administered questionnaires to 290 consented patients presented to the OPD over a period of one week. Patients' demographic data, knowledge on risk factors and symptoms, positive attitudes and practice pattern of prevention were assessed. Results Out of 290 patients 194 were female and 96 were males. Their mean age was 36.9 years (age range 20-60 years). Of them 26 (9%) had a history of stone disease. The mean knowledge score was 9.03 out of 22 (41.06%, SD=2.14). However, most of them (85.9%) believed hard water can cause urinary tract stones. Few participants (35.4%) identified foods which associated with stone formation. 36.81% were aware on symptoms of urolithiasis. Regarding consultation for stone disease, 44.5% go to Nephrologist and 36.9% go to Urologist. Participants who had a history of stone disease have shown better knowledge which was statistically significant (P value<0.01). Similarly, attitudes and practice on prevention was better with subjects who had stones. Conclusion As participants' knowledge, attitudes and practice on urolithiasis were poor, there is a need for the implementation of awareness programme for general population.
Abstract-Urinary calculi disease is one of the most common urological disorders. The descriptive cross sectional study was conducted to examine the influence of family history and to find the stone recurrence rate on urinary stone disease in Sri Lanka. The sample size of the study population was 142 with the mean age of 44.65± 13.45 years. They were evaluated with respect to their past history and family history of the disease. According to the results 58% of subjects were without past history, 42% of them were with past history and 85% of subjects without family history, 15% of them were with family history. Although pathophysiology of urolithiasis, is multifactorial a positive family history may also affect the occurrence and the cause of urinary stone disease. In our study familial urolithiasis was observed in 15% of patients which is lower than world literature. This is a significant finding Sri Lanka being an island nation.
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