This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Visceral larva migrans

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Toxocariasis is infection with worms of the genus Toxocara, a genus of nematode parasites found in dog - T.canis - and cats - T.cati. Both species can sometimes be found in man.

  • Toxocara canis (from dogs) is recognised as a potential cause of human toxocarosis, but Toxocara cati (from cats) and other species (eg, Toxascaris leonina found in foxes) are also possible causes

It occurs in two types:

  • visceral larva migrans
  • ocular larva migrans also referred to as retinal granuloma

The phrase larva migrans refers to the fact that the worm fails to mature in humans.

Most colonisation with Toxocara species does not lead to symptomatic infection in well-cared for adult animals; young and debilitated animals are at greater risk

  • humans can acquire infection from infected animals, for example, via soil contaminated with faeces; however, most human infections are asymptomatic, with symptomatic infection being very rare in the UK (1)

Toxocarosis is not spread by person-to-person contact (1)

Reference:

  • Patterson J. Toxocarosis in humans: how much of a problem is it in the UK? Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2023;61:7-11

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.