Visceral larva migrans syndrome: analysis of serum cytokine levels in children with hepatic lesions confirmed in radiological findings.

Human toxocariasis is a helminth zoonosis resulting from accidental infection of humans by the roundworms Toxocara canis (T. canis) and cati (T. cati). The infection occurs in five forms: systemic (VLM), ocular, neurological, covert and asymptomatic. The aim of this study was to characterize the radiological and immunological findings in hepatic inflammation during the course of systemic infection by Toxocara sp. in children. Fifteen children, 2 to 17 years of age, with serological diagnosis of T. canis infection underwent abdominal ultrasonography and computer tomography (CT). Eosinophil counts, immunoglobulin E titres, interleukins IL-1α, IL-4, Il-6, IL-10 and interferon gamma were measured for all patients. Abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple hypoechoic areas in the livers of all patients. On the CT images, the hepatic lesions were seen as multiple, ill-defined, oval low-attenuating nodules that measured 6 to 9 millimetres in diameter. The nodules were usually best seen in the portal venous phase and were not seen on arterial-phase images. Significant intergroup differences were observed in the concentrations of IL-1α, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10. The level of IFN-γ was not significantly elevated in patient sera relative to controls. The analysis shows that the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines is insufficient for granuloma formation in children presenting liver lesions in the course of VLM.

[Evaluation of health status in children, in whom vesicoureteral reflux was confirmed during infancy]. / Ocena stanu zdrowia dzieci, u których w wieku niemowlecym stwierdzono odplywy pecherzowo-moczowodowe.

A group of 62 children (age 5-12) with vesicoureteral reflux (VR) in infancy, including those who were under either ambulatory or surgical treatment and also those whose parents didn't undergo treatment, was observed with special attention paid to the following features: evaluation of height, weight, arterial blood pressure, presence of VR, size of kidneys and renal scars in them, creatinine clearance, urine analysis and urine cultures. The analysis of studied parameters proves the necessity of constant nephrological control for many years in spite of disappearance of reflux. The reason is the high risk of recurrent urinary tract infections, arterial hypertension and worse kidney functioning.