The role of toxocariasis as a causative agent in recurrent abdominal pain among children

Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) of unknown aetiology is a relatively common pediatric problem, occurring primarily in older children and adolescents. RAP is often refereed to as functional abdominal pain with only 5-10% of the affected children have organic causes for their pain. However, advances in medical diagnosis, have led to an increase in the identification of more organic causes. Few recent reports stated that toxocariasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of recurrent abdominal pain which might otherwise be labeled as idiopathic. AntiTES IgE serodiagnosis is said to be useful as a marker of the disease activity and for post-treatment follow up. And so, the present study aimed to assess the role of toxocariasis as a causative agent of idiopathic recurrent abdominal pain in children, based on clinical, therapeutic and serological criteria, using antiTES IgG and IgE ELISA.One hundred and twenty eight individuals aged 3-16 years suffering from RAP were included in this study after parental consent. After detailed history and thorough extensive clinical examination, the patients were divided into two groups: one with known organic aetiology and the other without. The latter were subjected to complete blood count, stool and urine examination and were serotested for anti-TES IgG and IgE antibodies, then treated empirically by specific anthelmintic (albendazol) and followed up monthly for 3 months. The chemoresponsive patients with positive IgG serology were clinically identified as covert toxocariasis cases. The IgG and IgE seropositive patients were serologically re-tested after 3 months. Moreover, 20 apparent healthy children without any complain and clinically free were enrolled as a healthy control.