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

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

• Trichinella
• trichinellosis
• eosinophilia
• parasites
• laboratory
• hematologic