Anemia, leukocytosis and eosinophilia in a resource-poor population with helmintho-ectoparasitic coinfection

Abstract

Introduction: Eosinophilia and anemia are very common hematological alterations in the tropics but population-based studies scrutinizing their value for diagnosing parasitic infections are rare. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural district in northeast Brazil where parasitic infections are common. Stool and blood samples were collected and individuals were clinically examined for the presence of ectoparasites. Results: In total, 874 individuals were examined. Infection with intestinal helminths occurred in 70% (95% CI 67 -75), infestation with ectoparasites in 45% (95% CI 42 -49) and co-infection with both helminths and ectoparasites was found in 33% (95% CI 29% -36%) of all inhabitants. Eosinophil counts ranged from 40/µl to 13.800/µl (median: 900/µl). Haemoglobin levels ranged from 4.8 g/dl to 16.8 g/dl (median: 12.5 g/dl), and anemia was present in 24% of the participants. Leukocytosis was found in 13%, eosinophilia in 74%, and hypereosinophilia in 44% of the participants. Eosinophilia was more pronounced in individuals co-infected with intestinal helminths and ectoparasites (p < 0.001) and correctly predicted parasitic infection in 87% (95% CI 84%-90.7%) of all cases. Conclusions: Eosinophilia is strongly associated with the presence of intestinal helminthiases and accentuated by co-infestation with ectoparasites. Our study confirms in a population with high prevalence of intestinal helminthiases and ectoparasites that eosinophilia can be used to accurately diagnose current parasitic infection and initiate treatment.

A survey of ectoparasite infestation in dogs in Tehran, Iran

“…However, there was no significant relationship between any of the ectoparasite infestations and the eosinophil count or hematocrit level. This is in accordance with Heukelbach et al (2006) and Pilger et al (2011) who reported that eosinophilia was not significantly associated with the presence of ectoparasites.…”

Malaria diagnostic and parasite density prediction potentials of some serum biochemical parameters in children with severe falciparum malaria treated with artesunate/artemether- lumefantrine combination therapy

“…For a diagnostic tool to be reliable it must have sensitivity and specificity of > 90% [15] and the elevated serum GR activity observed in this study satisfied this condition. In addition, high positive predictive value or precision obtained in this study agrees with high prevalence of falciparum malaria reported in the tropics [47] and implies that early treatment could be initiated in children after effectively diagnosing malaria using serum GR activity [48]. The high sensitivity, specificity, precision and odds ratio of the use of serum GR activity for diagnosis of falciparum malaria in children will reduce the use of antimalarial drugs in malaria negative cases (4% detected in this study) and the number of true malaria cases which are not treated (2% detected in this study).…”

Immunohistochemical and morphological features of a small bowel leiomyoma in a black crested macaque (Macaca nigra)

“…Neutrophilia is a common indicator for an inflammatory response to an infectious or non-infectious origin. Likewise, eosinophilia is characteristic of allergic inflammation or parasites [33]. Both, neutrophilia and eosinophilia, are usually considered as indicators of a parasitic infection [34].…”