Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2011 Jun;31(2):144-147.

A Case of Severe Hypereosinophilia Caused by Toxocara Infection after Ingestion of Raw Ostrich Liver

Abstract

Toxocariasis is an infection in a human host caused by Toxocara canis. Most human infections occur in younger persons who eat dirt containing embryonated eggs or larvae in raw or uncooked foods, particularly raw liver. Toxocariasis can produce various clinical manifestations associated with hypereosinophila and eosinophilic infiltration into the internal organs in the form of abscess or granuloma. We report the case of a 63-year-old man with hypereosinophilia caused by Toxocara infection, who had a history to eat raw ostrich liver 6 months before. He had general weakness and weight loss after ingestion of raw ostrich liver and was then referred to our hospital for the evaluation of hematologic malignancies because he had hypereosinophilia, anemia and a reversed albumin-globulin (A/G) ratio. Toxocara infection was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Toxocara canis. He was treated with albendazole for 2 weeks and was discharged from the hospital without any complications. At the 4 month and 1 year follow-up visits, his clinical symptoms improved, the total eosinophil counts were markedly reduced, and the A/G ratio.

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Albendazole
Anemia
Eating
Eggs
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Eosinophils
Follow-Up Studies
Granuloma
Hematologic Neoplasms
Humans
Larva
Liver
Middle Aged
Ovum
Struthioniformes
Toxocara
Toxocara canis
Toxocariasis
Weight Loss
Albendazole