Predictive factors for Gnathostoma seropositivity in patients visiting the Gnathostomiasis Clinic at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Thailand during 2000-2005

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2010 Nov;41(6):1316-21.

Abstract

This was a retrospective study of patients having Gnathostoma antibody testing at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Bangkok during 2000-2005 to investigate predictive factors for Gnathostoma seropositivity in patients attending the Gnathostomiasis Clinic. Out of 849 patients tested, 531 (62.5%) were Gnathostoma seropositive. The median absolute eosinophil counts were 464 (0-16,796) and 326.5 (0-10,971) cells/mm3 in seropositive and seronegative patients, respectively (p<0.001). Differences in a history of cutaneous swelling, the habit of eating raw meat, eosinophilia (>500 cells/mm3), and the frequency of cutaneous swellings between seropositive and seronegative patients were all statistically significant. Patients with a history of eating raw meat and a history of cutaneous swelling were at 2.1 and 1.8 times more likely to be Gnathostoma seropositive, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed eosinophilia was not a predictive factor for Gnathostoma seropositivity.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / blood*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Diet
  • Eosinophilia / parasitology
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Gnathostoma / immunology*
  • Gnathostomiasis / diagnosis*
  • Gnathostomiasis / epidemiology*
  • Gnathostomiasis / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meat / parasitology
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Thailand / epidemiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth