Toxocariasis and nephrotic syndrome

• Published in: Saudi journal of kidney diseases and transplantation Vol. 30; no. 6; pp. 1461 - 1463
• Main Authors: Ariba, Yosra, Abid, Rim, Battikh, Riadh, Louzir, Bassem, Labidi, Jannet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Saudi Arabia Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-11-2019; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Blood; Blood tests; Edema; Glucocorticoids; Hemoglobin; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins; Infection; Infections; Kidney diseases; Nephrotic syndrome; Patients; Prednisone; Proteins; Renal manifestations; Roundworm infections; Viral infections; Zoonoses; Egypt
• ISSN: 1319-2442; 2320-3838
• DOI: 10.4103/1319-2442.275494

We describe a case of toxocariasis as a rare cause of nephrotic syndrome in an adult woman. This rare association was confirmed by elevated Toxocara-specific immunoglobulin M titers. Renal biopsy was not done because of prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time. Our patient was treated with prednisone and albendazole. These treatments resulted in partial remission of renal symptoms as well as the abatement of the Toxocariasis infection. The relationship between toxocariasis infection and glomerular disease is still unclear. In the literature, exceptional renal impairment secondary to toxocariasis have been described, especially in children. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case of nephrotic syndrome associated with toxocariasis in adults.