A study of eosinophilia and helminths in migrant sub-Saharan patients in a primary care center (Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

We determine the association between eosinophilia and certain parasites diagnosed by serology in patients of subsaharan origin of a Primary Care Center from Madrid region, Spain. It was implemented a complete protocol for migrant patient to study eosinophilia and realized serology tests for parasites detection. All variable and data were evaluated by statistical methods. A total of 184 patients with eosinophilia were included in the study, 115 patients (62.5%) were seronegative for helminths and 69 were seropositive. Strongyloides stercoralis (55.07%), Schistosoma spp (39.13%) and Toxocara canis (20.29%) were the most prevalent helminths immunodetected in the study. So, 49 patients (26.6%) had abdominal pain, 50 patients (27.17%) had problems related with skin conditions and 38 patients (20.65%) had respiratory disorder, symptoms not related with the helminth parasites detected. Regarding number of parasites by patient, one specie was identified in 49 patients (26.63%) and two or more was identified in 20 patients (10.86%). Eosinophilia was resolved in 91.4% of parasite serpositive patients after received one specific adequate antiparasitic treatment, but this was resolved in 98.3% after received two tratments, and 100% after the third. The results obtained allow us to make some reflections on the difficulty of managing these patients in the Primary Care Center and on whether to diagnose and treat individuals from endemic areas, with or without eosinophilia and being asymptomatic or not, given the benefit it has for the individual and public health, as possible to minimize any chance of transmission.