Visceral larva migrans-like syndrome caused by Angiostrongylus costaricensis.

In two cases of ectopic localization of Angiostrongylus costaricensis adult worms and eggs were seen in the liver, causing a granulomatous inflammatory reaction with dense eosinophilic infiltration and necrosis. In the first case, although antibodies for A. costaricensis had been demonstrated, a clinical diagnosis of visceral larva migrans was recorded; however, further examination of a liver biopsy revealed eggs of A. costaricensis. In the second case, severity of the intestinal pathology masked the presence of lesions and an adult A. costaricensis that were discovered in a retrospective study of the liver 13 years later. A close similarity between the visceral larva migrans syndrome and ectopic localization (liver) of A. costaricensis is established.

Pica patterns, toxocariasis, and elevated blood lead in children.

Blood samples were obtained during a lead screening program from 100 children aged 1-6 years in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, to determine whether there was any association between specific forms of pica and infection with Toxocara canis, the principal cause of visceral larva migrans in the United States, or elevated blood lead levels. Significant associations were found between: 1) feces, soil, or grass pica and Toxocara infection; 2) paint or plaster pica and elevated blood lead; and 3) dog ownership and Toxocara infection. These findings suggest that an accurate pica history may be useful in identifying potential health problems in children.

[The association between human toxocariasis and pyogenic abscesses]. / A associação entre a toxocaríase humana e os abscessos piogênicos.

The association between hepatic abscesses and schistosomiasis mansoni was confirmed by clinical and experimental studies. Other parasites may cause systemic immunologic changes and local structural alterations in the affected organs that can facilitate the seeding of these areas by bacteria. Tropical pyomyositis, pyogenic liver and renal abscesses are frequent diseases in tropical areas. The visceral larva migrans syndrome is caused by the presence, in the human body, of larvae of worms that have other animals as their definitive host, most commonly being caused by Toxocara canis. The larvae migrate to various body organs leading to many inflammatory reactions in the form of granuloma and tissue necrosis. In this review we discuss the possible host-parasite-bacteria interactions that would favour the formation of abscesses in the organs involved by the larva of T. canis and present preliminary results of a clinical and experimental study undertaken during the last four years to define the role of this parasite in the pathogenesis of the abscesses.

[Ascaridiasis zoonoses: visceral larva migrans syndromes]. / Zoonoses d'origine ascaridienne: les syndromes de Larva migrans visceral.

The syndrome of Visceral Larva Migrans is a zoonotic disease due to the migration in human of nematodes larval, specially ascarid. Since the larvae fail to complete their migrating cycle in humans, the diagnosis of Toxocariasis infection remains only serologic. We have been able to demonstrate by the technique of agar diffusion and the Western-blotting method that the etiology due to Toxocara canis was twice as much frequent as the one due to Toxocara cati in the syndrome of Visceral and Ocular Larva Migrans. The use of numerous antigens from adult nematodes, mainly Ascaris suum, has shown, than in France, in the syndrome of VLM at least 12% of the cases were certainly due to other nematodes. Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (or another similar nematode) of the rat might be responsible. The existence of numerous clinical and biological cases found negative in serology, allow us to suggest that some other larval nematodes, may be from wild animals, might play an etiological role.

[Viscera larva migrans syndrome in children: description of a case]. / Sindrome da "visceral larva migrans' in età pediatrica: descrizione di un caso.

The AA describe a case of Larva Migrans Visceral syndrome in a two year-old boy in systemic form with negative outcome. The autoptic examination showed a "granulomatous hepatitis with marked component of eosinophil cells'. The presence of "eosinophil granuloma' in liver has led to the diagnosis of Visceral Larva Migrans Syndrome; other possible causes of Ipereosinophilous Syndrome have been excluded on the basis of anamnestic, clinic and laboratory data. The discovery in the medical history of frequent contacts with a dog which was affected by a serious toxocara canis infections, has led to the diagnosis of Larva Migrans Syndrome from Toxocara canis.

[Toxocariasis]. / Toksokaroza (Toxocarosis).

Up to present time the data concerning toxocariasis++ have been presented. Toxocariasis++ is difficult for diagnosis because of lack of specificity and multiorgan changes due to the invasion by Toxocara canis or cati. We pay attention the problem distribution of this parasitosis in Poland and world is still actual especially among children. We have presented epidemiological data and means diagnosis of this diseases and the treatment patients and prophylaxis has been stressed.

The contamination of the environment with Toxocara eggs in Mazowieckie voivodship as a risk of toxocarosis in children.

The home surroundings (109 places) of 120 children with diagnosed toxocarosis were examined to assess if the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs in the soil corresponds with the occurrence of clinical cases. 31 places (28.4%) were found to be contaminated. The highest level of soil contamination was revealed in rural and suburban regions (15.6% and 11.9%, respectively), while in urban areas it was 0.9%. These results confirmed that soil contamination might be recognized as a very important factor in the epidemiology of human toxocarosis.

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).

Toxocara infection in animal hospital employees.

The recent development of a sensitive and specific test (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for Toxocara canis infection has made it possible to study the epidemiology of this parasite in man. Antibody to Toxocara was measured in veterinarians, kennel workers, nurses, laboratory technicians, and clerical personnel in an animal hospital (Animal Medical Center, New York, NY) in order to determine the risk of infection in persons with varying degrees of occupational and home exposure to pet dogs. Antibodies were found in 8 (11 per cent) of 73 employees, and the prevalence and intensity of antibody was not statistically associated with either job exposure or dog ownership. However, antibody was not detected in any of the 14 employees who denied both past and present dog ownership. Additional studies using larger numbers of sera are required to determine the significance of these findings.

Visceral larva migrans caused by Trichuris vulpis.

Two brothers with visceral larva migrans caused by Trichuris vulpis were diagnosed after they had been investigated for an eosinophilia. Both patients were almost asymptomatic. The diagnosis of visceral larva migrans was based on the results of immunoelectrophoretic studies and no liver biopsy was performed. After administration of thiabendazole, the number of eosinophils and serum total IgE levels gradually decreased, and the patients have remained well.

Toxocariasis in an institution for the mentally retarded.

A seroepidemiologic investigation was conducted in order to determine the cause of an apparent increase in rates of eosinophilia among 1400 institutionalized children during 1976-1977. The annual serologic survey during this period revealed 283 (20%) individuals with eosinophilia that exceeded 600 cells/cu mm of blood. During a five-month period in 1977, five patients who were hospitalized in adjacent wards developed acute pneumonia with eosinophilia. Because laboratory tests of sputum, bone marrow, and stool failed to identify the etiologic agent, it was thought that these pneumonia cases might be related to the increased rates of eosinophilia. Analyses of random samples of sera from patients with eosinophilia revealed seroprevalence rates of 12% for Ascaris, 20% for Toxocara canis, 24% for Strongyloides stercoralis, and 32% with increased antibody to Entamoeba histolytica. Further investigation showed a statistically significant positive association between occurrence of eosinophilia and pica behavior, and eosinophilia and contact with dogs. Although the serologic survey showed patients to have had previous exposure to a variety of parasites, we hypothesize that a principal cause of eosinophilia among institutionalized children may be Toxocara infestation, due to their frequent pica behavior and, in this case, contact with resident animals. We recommend that children in similar facilities have limited contact with pet dogs, and only after frequent and vigorous examination of the animals for infectious parasites.