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.

life cycle of Toxocara canis

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.

Links

Related articles

• Gastrointestinal parasitosis
• Diarrheal diseases
• Ascariasis

References

• GILLESPIE, SH and KB BAMFORD. Medical Microbiology and Infection at a Glance. 1st edition. London: Blackwell Science, 2000.  ISBN 978-1405111737 .
• BERAN, GW and KB BAMFORD. Handbook of Zoonoses, Section A: Bacterial, Rickettsial, Chlamydial and Mycotic. 2nd edition. Florida: CRC Press, 1994.  ISBN 978-0849332050 .
• University of South Carolina. Microbiology and immunology online [online]. © 2007. Last revision 2009, [cited. 2009]. < http://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/medicine/education/basic_science_departments/pathology_microbiology_and_immunology/index.php ,>.

Reference

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