Visceral larva migrans

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Digestive system organs

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Visceral larva migrans

Alternative Names:

Toxocariasis; Ocular larva migrans; Larva migrans visceralis

Symptoms:

Individuals with mild infections may have no symptoms

More serious infections are marked by fever, irritability, abdominal pain, and occasionally itchy skin lesions such as hives.

Pulmonary symptoms are common and include cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

If the eyes are infected, loss of vision and crossed eyes (strabismus) may occur.

Signs and tests:

Visceral larva migrans may be suspected in an individual with elevated white blood cell count (leukocytosis) and an elevated number of eosinophils (eosinophilia). An enlarged liver, rash, and lung or eye abnormalities may also be noted.

The disease may be definitively diagnosed by detection of larvae in the affected tissue. A blood test for antibodies can also be used to detect infection.

Review Date: 7/14/2004
Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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