J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2006 Aug;17(4):374-376.

A case of Visceral Larva Migrans Due to Toxocara Carni in the Emergency Department

• Kim IS
• Han SK
• Jeong WJ
• Yi HY
• Lee WS
• Ryu S
• Yoo IS

Abstract

Toxocariasis is a zoonotic infection seen all over the world that is caused by the parasitic roundworm Toxocara canis. Toxocariasis is transmitted to humans by oral ingestion of infectious eggs from Toxocara canis. In most cases, Toxocara infection is asymptomatic and self-limited. However, we report a case of severe manifestations of visceral larva involving the liver, the respiratory tract. The case involved a man with Toxocara canis infection who presented with diarrhea, abdominal pain, dyspnea and hepatomegaly. Blood tests revealed a leucocytosis with prominent eosinophilia. The patient's chest X-ray showed ground glass opacity in both lung fields. The diagnosis was confirmed by an ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunospecific Assay) for Toxocara canis. He was treated with albendazole and prednisolone medication and was discharged without complication.

Keyword

Toxocara canis; Eosinophilia; ELISA(Enzyme-Linked Immunospecific Assay)

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Albendazole
Diagnosis
Diarrhea
Dyspnea
Eating
Eggs
Emergencies*
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Eosinophilia
Glass
Hematologic Tests
Hepatomegaly
Humans
Larva
Larva Migrans, Visceral*
Liver
Lung
Ovum
Prednisolone
Respiratory System
Thorax
Toxocara canis
Toxocara*
Toxocariasis
Zoonoses
Albendazole
Prednisolone