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

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

Luke B Harrison, Michael D Libman, Chelsea Caya, Momar Ndao, Cedric P Yansouni

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

Luke B Harrison et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Dec.

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.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Receiver operating characteristic curve comparing performance of thresholds of absolute and relative eosinophilia to trigger automatic reporting of possible trichinellosis. Sn and Sp for the thresholds of absolute eosinophilia examined were 0.5 × 109 (Sn = 1.0, Sp = 0.65), 0.8 × 109 (Sn = 1.0, Sp = 0.71), 1.0 × 109 (Sn = 0.91, Sp = 0.71), 2.0 × 109 (Sn = 0.63, Sp = 0.94) and for relative eosinophilia were 5% (Sn = 1.0, Sp = 0.65), 10% (Sn = 0.88, Sp = 0.71), 15% (Sn = 0.85, Sp = 0.76), and 30% (Sn = 0.36, Sp = 1.0). Sn, sensitivity; Sp, specificity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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