Toxoplasma, Toxocara and Tuberculosis co-infection in a four year old child

• Main Authors: Bandara Tharaka, Mendis Devan, Guneratne Randeewari, Fernando Sumadhya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-05-01
• Series: BMC Pediatrics
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2431/11/44

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tuberculosis. toxocariasis and toxoplasmosis are among the common infectious causes of lymphadenitis in children. Cases of <it>Toxoplasma gondii </it>and <it>Toxocara spp </it>co-infection have been reported.</p> <p>Case Presentation</p> <p>This case report describes a co-infection of <it>Toxoplasma gondii</it>, <it>Toxocara </it>spp and tuberculosis in a child with chronic lymphadenopathy and eosinophilia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The case report highlights two important points. First is the diagnostic challenges that are encountered by clinicians in tropical countries such as Sri Lanka, where lymphadenopathy and eosinophilia with a positive serology commonly point towards a parasitic infection. Secondly the importance of proper history taking and performing the Mantoux test as a first line investigation in a country where the incidence of tuberculosis is low, even in the absence of a positive contact history.</p>