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Updated: Sep 27 2016

Visceral Larva Migrans

Snapshot
  • A 2-year-old boy is admitted to the hospital with a history of wheezing that is found to have hepatosplenomegaly and a prominent peripheral blood eosinophilia. Upon further questioning, it was found that he regularly plays in a sandbox at nursery and there are a host of cats living at his home. 

 

Introduction
  • Caused by infection with Toxocara larvae 
    • lifecycle involves being carried by dogs or cats 
    • also found in sand boxes
    • they can infect humans, but cannot mature within them
  • Most common in chidren from 1-4 years of age
    • this age group is more prone to ingestion of infective eggs
    • humans are the dead-end host
  • Mechanism & Pathophysiology 
    • migrate through the intestinal wall
    • travel within the bloodstream
    • cause inflammation and damage in various organs
Presentation
  • Present with
    • fever
    • hepatomegaly
    • wheezing
    • pulmonary disease
    • eosinophilia
Evaluation
  • Labs
    • eosinophiolia
  • Diagnosis
    • biopsies are not effective
    • PCR
    • ELISA
      • 78% sensitivity and a 90% specificity
    • serology 
      • antibodies to Toxocara
Treatment
  • Self resolves within weeks
    • usually does not require treatment
  • Pharmacologic
    • corticosteroids
      • indication
        • severe cases
    • albendazole
      • indication
        • preferred anti-parasitic medication
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