visceral larva migrans

Etiology

• ingestion of infective ova of Toxocara canis & less commonly other nematodes not adapted to intestinal maturation in humans

Epidemiology

• generally affects children

Pathology

• eggs hatch in the intestine, penetrate the gut wall, & wander in the viscera (mainly the liver) for periods up to 18-24 months
• hepatic granulomas
• pulmonary infiltration Clinical manifesatations:
• may be asymptomatic
• hepatomegaly
• fever
• cough

Laboratory

• hypergammaglobulinemia
• sustained high eosinophilia

More general terms

• larva migrans