Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Children with Eosinophilia at Dhulikhel Hospital

Abstract

BackgroundEosinophilia in children is commonly caused by or parasitic, allergic and immunologic problems. ObjectivesTo study clinical and laboratory profile of patients with eosinophilia and to identify possible causes. MethodA prospective and descriptive study was conducted from January 2009-December 2011. All the cases of eosinophilia with symptoms and signs of single or multiple organ were included. The known caused of eosinophilia like allergy, asthma and drugs were excluded. ResultsDuring three years period, 84(2.41%) cases had eosinophilia with single or multiple organ involment. 14.3%, 39.3% and 46.4% had mild, moderate and severe eosinophilia respectively, with cases of hypereosinophilia comprising 85.7%. Eosinophilia is seen predominantly in tamang caste with overall age ranging from 1-14 years. Most common symptoms and signs are abdominal pain (67.9%) hepatomegaly (59.5%) respectively. Gastrointestinal system was most commonly involved organ followed by respiratory system. Nineteen percent had polyserositis involving pleural, pericardial effusion and ascites at presentation. Out of 84 patients only nine serum samples were able to be sent for parasitological analysis. sixteen had identifiable and/ or possible causes. Serum sample for parasitological analysis revealed fascilosis, filariasis, strongylosis stercoralis and toxocariasis. ConclusionEosinophilia is more common among tamang poulation in our study. Most common symptoms and signs are abdominal pain and hepatomegaly respectively. Parasitic infection seems to be the most common cause however further study has to be done to reach final conclusion.

The Burden of Parasitic Zoonoses in Nepal: A Systematic Review

“…Recently, two children with eosinophilia were serodiagnosed with toxocarosis [66]. Furthermore, Toxocara spp.…”

“…However, as identification was based on visual identification only, confirmation is not certain. Three out of 84 children with eosinophilia presenting at a university hospital in Kavre were serologically positive for fasciolosis [66], while in another case series on eosinophilia in children, paragonimosis was suggested as a possible cause, given that a significant proportion of patients had the habit of eating undercooked fresh water crab meat [80]. In India, human cases of Fasciolopsis buski have been described from the Nepal bordering states of Bihar [81], [82] and Uttar Pradesh [83].…”

“…In a serological ELISA study, a high proportion of Nepalese people (∼80%) appeared positive for Toxocara infection [65] . Recently, two children with eosinophilia were serodiagnosed with toxocarosis [66] . Furthermore, Toxocara spp.…”

<p>How Common is Eosinophilia in Tuberculosis? Case Report</p>

“…5 This amount accounts for about 1-3% of the differential leukocyte count. 7 None of the English textbooks of medicine also describe eosinophilia in TB. Most of the reports of eosinophilia in TB describe the presence of local eosinophilia than getting peripheral eosinophilia.…”

Distinguishment of parasite-infected children from pediatric inpatients with both eosinophilia and effusion

“…The causes of such condition are various and identifying the etiology of each cases rack pediatrician's brain. [ 7 , 8 ] Comprehensive clinical information on eosinophilia and serous effusion co-morbidity is very important to better understand the disease spectrum and improve clinical diagnostic skills. Yet few studies explored the characteristics among pediatric patients with eosinophilia and serous effusion.…”