Clinical interpretation of eosinophilia and ELISA values (OD) in toxocarosis

The results of examination of 1264 patients in Poznan area, Poland by an EL ISA test with E/S antigen were retrospectively analysed in order to evaluat e the place the absorbance values (OD) may have in the clinical interpretat ion of toxocarosis. Mean OD values in the screened populations (except chil dren living in a heavily contaminated area) were all below 1.500 acid in th e hospitalised symptomatic patients - all above 1.750. The level of eosinop hilia correlated well with OD values. It is postulated that in population s creenings the weakly positive OD values (0.600-1.190) are presented separat ely, as they usually have no clinical implications. The OD values 1.200-1.7 90 may occur in mild toxocarosis, whereas the values above 1.800 are common in clinically well expressed toxocarosis. Ocular toxocarosis usually have lower OD values. In conclusion OD values are good markers of clinical expre ssion of toxocarosis and have to be considered together with eosinophilia, IgE antibodies response and observed symptoms and signs in a rational clini cal evaluation of the Toxocara infection in human patients.