Seroprevalence of Toxocariasis in Cryptogenic Epilepsy Patients

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of Toxocara canis and Toxocara call by ELISA in cryptogenic epilepsy patients. The research was conducted between May 2015 and January 2018 at the Van Yfizfincti Yil University Medical Faculty.Departments of Parasitology and Neurology. The study included 100 patients diagnosed with cryptogenic epilepsy at the Neurology Policlinic of the DooyuuOdxhuy Medical Center, Van Yfiziincii Yil University. The cryptogenic epilepsy patient and control groups consisted of individuals who did not exhibit other helminths on their stool examinations and had not received any previous parasite therapy. Blood samples from the cryptogenic epilepsy patients and control group were investigated for of anti T cants positivity using ELISA. Anti -T. cants positivity was detected in 24% of patients with cryptogenic epilepsy and in 12% of the control group. Blood samples of the cryptogenic epilepsy patients and control group with toxocariasis were also examined for Fasciola hepatica. F. hepatica was not detected in any of the subjects with toxocariasis. In this study, there was a statistically significant relationship between cryptogenic epilepsy and toxocariasis in the comparison of the patient and control groups (p < 0.05). There was also a statistically significant relationship between toxocariasis and gender and eosinophilia (p < 0.05). However, although some complaints and symptoms, such as urticaria, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, headache, and nervousness, were detected in some patients, no statistically significant relationship was found between these complaints and toxocariasis. It was concluded that toxocariasis should also he considered in patients with cryptogenic epilepsy, and individuals should avoid contact with dog and cat feces, in order to protect themselves from contracting this disease. In addifion, fruits and vegetables suspected of possible contamination with the feces of these animals should be washed with an abundance of clean water. Additional future studies are required in this field.