Toxocarosis

Larval toxocariasis is a disease caused by the larvae of Toxocara canis (primary dog parasite) or Toxocara cati (cat parasite). Both belong to Nematoda - nematodes. Parasitic eggs are excreted in the faeces of infected animals and mature in the soil. A person becomes infected if his food is contaminated with such soil or if he neglects hygiene (eg washing hands). The larval stages are trapped, invading the host and migrating to the liver and lungs. Larvae are unable to develop in the adult, but travel the body.



They cause

 * fever, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and shortness of breath, eosinophilia,
 * if the larva enters the eye, permanent eye damage may occur due to the local inflammatory response retina.

Diagnostics
The diagnosis is made serologically using a specific EIA. In the Czech Republic, up to 18% of people are serologically positive.

Therapy
The disease usually goes away on its own, but treatment with albendazole is appropriate for severe problems. eye lesions should first be treated with steroids to suppress the inflammatory response. The role of anthelmintic therapy is less proven.

Related articles

 * Gastrointestinal parasitosis
 * Diarrheal diseases
 * Ascariasis

Reference

 * VOLF, Petr and Petr HORÁK. Parasites and their biology. 1st edition. Prague: Triton, 2007. 318 pp. 222.  ISBN 978-80-7387-008-9.