Table 2.
Selected parasitic diseases associated with gastrointestinal manifestations and eosinophilia
| PARASITE | CLINICAL PRESENTATION |
PERIPHERAL BLOOD EOSINOPHIL COUNT |
TISSUE EOSINO- PHILIA |
DIAGNOSIS | TREATMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hookworm (Ancylostom a duodenale and Necator americanus) |
Skin rash on inoculation, asymptomatic to mild gastrointestinal disease, anemia and protein-losing enteropathy with large burden |
Elevated | GI | Direct visualization of eggs or larvae on microscopy |
Albendazole |
| Trichinella spiralis |
Diarrhea may be seen early in infection prior to the development of myalgia and other symptoms |
Elevated | Muscle | Serology, muscle biopsy |
Albendazole, steroids |
| Strongyloide s stercoralis |
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, rash, or asymptomatic in chronic infection |
Elevated | GI | Multiple modalities including stool and serology |
Ivermectin, albendazole |
| Cystisospora belli |
Diarrhea | Elevated | GI175 | Stool examination for cysts |
Trimethoprim sulfamethoxaz ole |
| Anisakiasis | Abdominal pain; allergic gastroenteritis |
Elevated | GI176-178 | Endoscopic visualization of worm |
Removal of worm |