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Ency. home > Disease > V > Visceral larva migrans

Visceral larva migrans   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

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 shortness of breath, cough, 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.

Ency. home > Disease > V > Visceral larva migrans

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