Which parasite is recognized for causing eosinophilia?

Eosinophilia refers to an elevated level of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that is often increased in response to parasitic infections, among other causes. Brugia malayi, the causative agent of lymphatic filariasis, is known for inducing a strong eosinophilic response in the host. This parasite can elicit significant immunological reactions, leading to the production and release of eosinophils as part of the body’s defense mechanism against the filarial infection.

In the case of Ascaris lumbricoides, while it can also be associated with eosinophilia, the eosinophil levels tend to rise more prominently during the larval migration phase, and they are often not as significantly elevated compared to infections with Brugia malayi. Trichuris trichiura usually does not lead to eosinophilia and is more commonly associated with other immunological responses. Giardia lamblia is a protozoan that typically does not cause eosinophilia, as it predominantly triggers a different type of immune response.

Brugia malayi is clearly recognized for its strong association with eosinophilia due to the specific immune responses it elicits during infection.