Laboratory Features of Trichinellosis and Eosinophilia Threshold for Testing, Nunavik, Quebec, Canada, 2009-2019

Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Dec;28(12):2567-2569. doi: 10.3201/eid2812.221144.

Abstract

Prolonged eosinophilia is characteristic of trichinellosis. To determine the optimal eosinophil threshold for reflex Trichinella testing, we examined all 43 cases in Nunavik, Quebec, Canada, during 2009-2019. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, we determined that eosinophil counts >0.8 × 109 cells/L should prompt consideration of trichinellosis and testing to rapidly identify potential outbreaks.

Keywords: Canada; Quebec; Trichinella; biochemical; eosinophilia; hematologic; laboratory; parasites; trichinellosis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Canada
  • Eosinophilia* / diagnosis
  • Eosinophilia* / epidemiology
  • Quebec / epidemiology
  • Trichinella*
  • Trichinellosis* / diagnosis
  • Trichinellosis* / epidemiology