[Visceral Larva Migrans: A pediatric case of atypical presentation with cutaneous vasculitis in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina]. / Toxocariosis visceral: un caso pediátrico atípico con vasculitis cutánea en la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Toxocariosis is a parasitic disease caused by the larvae from genus Toxocara sp. There are two classic syndromes described for this entity: visceral larva migrans and ocular larva migrans, depending on larvae localization. Human being behaves as an accidental host in which Toxocara sp. does not become an adult worm. This infection is generally asymptomatic but clinical manifestations can be diverse, and they vary according to number and localization of entrenched larvae and host's immune system. In the last years it has been studied a relation between Toxocara sp. and some cutaneous manifestations. We describe the case of a 19-month infant with visceral larva migrans and cutaneous manifestations from vasculitis, explaining its form of presentation, evolution, diagnose and treatment.

La toxocariosis es una parasitosis generada por la larva del género Toxocara sp., que causa dos síndromes clásicamente definidos: larva migrans visceral o larva migrans ocular, dependiendo de la localización de la larva. Sin embargo, la mayor parte de los niños presenta una infección asintomática. El ser humano se comporta como un hospedador paraténico, en el que Toxocara sp. no llega a completar su ciclo biológico. Las manifestaciones clínicas pueden ser diversas y dependen del número y de la localización de las larvas enquistadas, así como de la respuesta inmune del huésped. En los últimos años, se ha descrito una relación entre Toxocara sp. y ciertas manifestaciones cutáneas. Se describe el caso clínico de un lactante de 19 meses con toxocariosis visceral y manifestaciones cutáneas de vasculitis. Se detalla su forma de presentación, evolución clínica, metodología diagnóstica y terapéutica empleada.

Frequency of Toxocara canis antibodies in Mexican paediatric patients with epilepsy.

The relationship between epilepsy and the presence of visceral larva migrans caused by Toxocara canis in Mexican children remains uncertain; however, this relationship needs to be elucidated because these parasite larvae can invade the human central nervous system. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the frequency and specificity of anti-T. canis antibodies in the sera of children with epilepsy to determine the relationship between this parasite and epilepsy. The sera samples of 214 children were examined: 111 children diagnosed with epilepsy and 103 clinically healthy children without neurological disorders. In the sera of each group, the presence and specificity of anti-T. canis and anti-Ascaris lumbricoides antibodies, as well as the cross-reactivity between them, were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting analysis. Among the children with epilepsy, 25.2% exhibited seropositivity to T. canis. Cross-reactivity against the A. lumbricoides antigen was present in 46.8% of the children with epilepsy, whereas 11.7% of the children with epilepsy and anti-T. canis antibodies did not exhibit cross-reactivity against this antigen. The Western blotting analysis of the sera from the children with epilepsy demonstrated the presence of T. canis proteins, with molecular weights of 24, 35, 55, 70, 120 and 210 kDa, and A lumbricoides proteins with molecular weights of 70, 80 and 110 kDa. Our results revealed the presence of anti-T. canis antibodies in the children with epilepsy; furthermore, cross-reactivity tests with A. lumbricoides showed the importance of the presence of anti-T. canis antibodies in revealing the relationship between this parasite and epilepsy in children.

Toxocariasis Suspected of Having Infiltrated Directly from the Liver to the Lung through the Diaphragm.

A 37-year-old woman presented to our hospital with mild abdominal pain experienced for 2 months and hepatic nodules in segments 3 and 8. Peripheral blood eosinophilia was observed, and toxocariasis was serologically diagnosed. Seventeen days after the first imaging evaluation, a new lesion was found in segment 9 of the right lung, which was contiguous through the diaphragm to the hepatic nodule in segment 8. After treatment with albendazole, the liver and lung nodules disappeared. We suspect that larvae had directly invaded the lung from the liver, through the diaphragm.

Larva migrans visceral. Presentación de un caso / Visceral larva migrans. Report of a case

RESUMEN La larva migrans visceral es una enfermedad que se produce al ingerir huevos infectantes de nematodos parásitos de gatos y perros (Toxocaracanis y Toxocaracati); los cuales eclosionan en el intestino del hombre y las larvas se distribuyen en todo el organismo, principalmente hígado, pulmón, corazón y cerebro. Las larvas en su migración dejan trazos de hemorragias, necrosis y células inflamatorias; algunas son destruidas por la respuesta inmune del huésped y otras forman granulomas eosinofílicos. Los síntomas dependen del tejido u órgano afectado, de la intensidad de la infección y del grado de la respuesta inmunológica inducida. Se presenta un caso del sexo masculino de 72 años que ingresa en el Servicio de Medicina del Hospital Militar Docente “Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy”, de Matanzas, por cuadro de fiebre, diarreas, tos seca, astenia, anorexia y pérdida de peso al que se le diagnosticó larva migrans visceral. Por lo atípico de la edad del paciente y la complejidad del diagnóstico decidimos presentar este caso (AU).

ABSTRACT Visceral larva migrans is a disease produced after the ingestion of infectant eggs of cat´s and dog´s nematode parasites (Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati). These parasites harch in the men´s intestines and the larvas are distributed around the organism, mainly in the following organs: liver, lungs, hearth and brain. In their migration, the larvas leave traces of hemorrhage, necrosis and inflammatory cells; several of them are destroyed by the host´s immune answer and others form eosinophilic granulomas. The symptoms depend on the affected tissue or organ, on the infection intensity and on the level of induced immunologic answer. The case of a male patient, aged 72 years-old is presented. He entered the Medicine Service of the Teaching Military Hospital “Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy”, of Matanzas with fever, diarrhea, dry cought, asthenia, anorexia and weight loss.Visceral larva migrans was diagnosed. The presentation of the case was decided because of the atypical patient´s age and the complexity of the diagnosis (AU).

Larva migrans visceral. Presentación de un caso / Visceral larva migrans. Report of a case

RESUMEN La larva migrans visceral es una enfermedad que se produce al ingerir huevos infectantes de nematodos parásitos de gatos y perros (Toxocaracanis y Toxocaracati); los cuales eclosionan en el intestino del hombre y las larvas se distribuyen en todo el organismo, principalmente hígado, pulmón, corazón y cerebro. Las larvas en su migración dejan trazos de hemorragias, necrosis y células inflamatorias; algunas son destruidas por la respuesta inmune del huésped y otras forman granulomas eosinofílicos. Los síntomas dependen del tejido u órgano afectado, de la intensidad de la infección y del grado de la respuesta inmunológica inducida. Se presenta un caso del sexo masculino de 72 años que ingresa en el Servicio de Medicina del Hospital Militar Docente “Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy”, de Matanzas, por cuadro de fiebre, diarreas, tos seca, astenia, anorexia y pérdida de peso al que se le diagnosticó larva migrans visceral. Por lo atípico de la edad del paciente y la complejidad del diagnóstico decidimos presentar este caso (AU).

ABSTRACT Visceral larva migrans is a disease produced after the ingestion of infectant eggs of cat´s and dog´s nematode parasites (Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati). These parasites harch in the men´s intestines and the larvas are distributed around the organism, mainly in the following organs: liver, lungs, hearth and brain. In their migration, the larvas leave traces of hemorrhage, necrosis and inflammatory cells; several of them are destroyed by the host´s immune answer and others form eosinophilic granulomas. The symptoms depend on the affected tissue or organ, on the infection intensity and on the level of induced immunologic answer. The case of a male patient, aged 72 years-old is presented. He entered the Medicine Service of the Teaching Military Hospital “Dr. Mario Muñoz Monroy”, of Matanzas with fever, diarrhea, dry cought, asthenia, anorexia and weight loss.Visceral larva migrans was diagnosed. The presentation of the case was decided because of the atypical patient´s age and the complexity of the diagnosis (AU).

Halo Sign and Eosinophilia: What Is Your Diagnosis?

Blood eosinophilia associated with transient and migrating nodules with a halo sign on chest computed tomography scan should suggest larva migrans related to toxocariasis or ascaris suum.

[Toxocarosis and acalculous acute cholecystitis: Consequence or coincidence?]. / Toxocarosis y colecistitis aguda alitiásica: ¿consecuencia o coincidencia?

Human toxocarosis is a chronic larval parasitosis listed as one of the five most important neglected diseases by the CDC. The larvae can spread systemically and migrate to different tissues including liver and gallbladder. Acalculous acute cholecystitis (AAC) is a rare disease in children. The diagnosis is based on clinical parameters and imaging criteria. It has been reported in relation to sepsis, shock, trauma, burns, severe systemic diseases, congenital anomalies, infections and also in healthy children. We report a pediatric case of toxocarosis, with clinical symptoms and imaging criteria compatible with AAC treated medically, and discuss the relationship between toxocarosis and AAC based on published evidence.

Toxocarosis y colecistitis aguda alitiásica: ¿consecuencia o coincidencia? / Toxocarosis and acalculous acute cholecystitis: consequence or coincidence?

La toxocarosis humana es una parasitosis larvaria crónica catalogada dentro de las cinco enfermedades subestimadas más importantes por los CDC. Las larvas pueden diseminarse por vía sistémica y migrar a distintos tejidos (larva migrans visceral) incluyendo el hígado y vesícula biliar. La colecistitis aguda acalculosa (CAA) es una enfermedad rara en niños. El diagnóstico se basa en parámetros clínicos y criterios imagenológicos. Se ha asociado a sepsis, shock, trauma, quemaduras, enfermedades sistémicas graves, anomalías congénitas e infecciones, como también en niños sanos. Presentamos el caso de una toxocarosis infantil con síntomas clínicos y criterios imagenológicos compatibles con una CAA tratado médicamente, y discutir la relación entre ambos cuadros en base a la evidencia publicada.

Human toxocarosis is a chronic larval parasitosis listed as one of the five most important neglected diseases by the CDC. The larvae can spread systemically and migrate to different tissues including liver and gallbladder. Acalculous acute cholecystitis (AAC) is a rare disease in children. The diagnosis is based on clinical parameters and imaging criteria. It has been reported in relation to sepsis, shock, trauma, burns, severe systemic diseases, congenital anomalies, infections and also in healthy children. We report a pediatric case of toxocarosis, with clinical symptoms and imaging criteria compatible with AAC treated medically, and discuss the relationship between toxocarosis and AAC based on published evidence.

HEPATIC VISCERAL LARVA MIGRANS DUE TO TOXOCARA CANIS IN A 72-YEAR-OLD MAN.

Hepatic toxocariasis is visceral larva migrans caused by Toxocara. We report a case of hepatic toxocariasis detected incidentally during a health checkup. The patient had elevated levels of eosinophils, total IgE, and anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies. On contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging he had a single, 2.16 cm, oval, ill-defined, low-attenuation hepatic nodule which was best appreciated during the portal venous phase of the scan. Clinicians should consider hepatic toxocariasis as a possible diagnosis in any individual who presents with eosinophilia of unknown etiology and an ill-defined hepatic lesion on CT imaging.

Solitary Hepatic Eosinophilic Granuloma Accompanied by Eosinophilia Without Parasitosis: Report of a Case.

A 43-year-old Japanese woman visited for a hepatic tumor incidentally found. We suspected eosinophilic granuloma of the liver (EGL) due to visceral larva migrans (VLM). However, neither past history nor medical interview indicated a risk of parasitosis. Blood testing revealed eosinophilia, serum examination showed normal results for immunoglobulin E, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay yielded negative for Toxocara and Anisakis. Gastric and colonic endoscopy revealed normal features. Several imagings showed central necrosis of the tumor. After informed consent, laparoscopic resection was performed. Histopathological examination showed EGL without parasites. No recurrence had occurred postoperatively. Most reports documented that EGL are caused by VLM. However, parasites are not always demonstrable on serum, histopathological, or immunochemical examinations. When acting as allergens to induce type I responses, microscopic agents other than parasites in the intestinal tract could induce eosinophilic inflammation in the liver. Accumulation of more cases should help clarify other pathogeneses for EGL.

Successful early diagnosis and treatment in a case of Toxocara canis-induced eosinophilic myocarditis with eosinophil-rich pericardial effusion.

Fulminant myocarditis can become fatal if left untreated. Treatments for most types of myocarditis, including mechanical support, are limited. However, immediate systemic corticosteroids are known to be effective against eosinophilic myocarditis; therefore, prompt diagnosis of this disease is crucial. Unfortunately, the standard diagnostic tool for myocarditis, endomyocardial biopsy, does not provide immediate histopathological findings. Thus, a rapid diagnostic tool for identifying types of myocarditis is urgently required. We report here the first case of Toxocara canis-induced eosinophilic fulminant myocarditis which was diagnosed based on eosinophil-rich pericardial effusion where the patient recovered with early corticosteroid therapy.

Unusual panuveitis in a child: toxocariasis associated with ocular myiasis.

Most panuveitis in children are caused by infectious agents. A detailed clinical history and clinical examination are helpful in the diagnosis, but specific techniques are sometimes required to identify the causing specimen. We report the first published case of panuveitis in a child caused by simultaneous ocular infection by Toxocara canis and a fly larva and the innovative use of immunodiffusion technique in the vitreous for the diagnosis.

Hepatic visceral larva migrans.

Visceral larva migrans (VLM) is a systemic manifestation of migration of second stage larvae of nematodes through the tissue of human viscera. It is not uncommon but is underdiagnosed in developing countries. The liver is the most common organ to be involved due to its portal venous blood supply. The imaging findings are subtle and differentiation from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), metastases, cystic mesenchymal hamartoma and granulomatous diseases is difficult. This case report highlights the imaging features of hepatic lesions of VLM along with clinical and laboratory data which help in clinching the diagnosis.

The role of worm infestation in allergic rhinitis.

The purpose of this study is to determine the relevance of the hygiene hypothesis; that is to determine if worm infestation has a protective role against the development of allergic rhinitis. A prospective case controlled study was conducted. Specific IgG levels to Toxocara were studied in 85 patients confirmed to have allergic rhinitis and were compared to levels in another 85 controls, with no form of allergy. The IgG assay was done using ELISA technique. There was a higher incidence of positive specific IgG to Toxocara in the controls as compared to allergic patients. The values were statistically significant [Chi square test (p=0.002)]. This negative association between worm infestation and allergic rhinitis suggests that a previous worm infestation could protect against the development of allergic rhinitis.