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.
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Authors | Daniel Pilger, Jörg Heukelbach, Alexander Diederichs, Beate Schlosser, Cinthya Pereira Leite Costa Araújo, Anne Keysers, Oliver Liesenfeld, Hermann Feldmeier |
Journal | Journal of infection in developing countries
(J Infect Dev Ctries)
Vol. 5
Issue 4
Pg. 260-9
(Apr 26 2011)
ISSN: 1972-2680 [Electronic] Italy |
PMID | 21537067
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Anemia
(epidemiology, etiology)
- Brazil
(epidemiology)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Comorbidity
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Ectoparasitic Infestations
(complications, epidemiology, pathology)
- Eosinophilia
(epidemiology, etiology)
- Feces
(parasitology)
- Female
- Helminthiasis
(complications, epidemiology, pathology)
- Hematologic Tests
- Humans
- Infant
- Leukocytosis
(epidemiology, etiology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Rural Population
- Young Adult
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