Toxocariasis Pathogen: Toxocara - worldwide distributed helminth Transmission: • Dogs and cats are the major source of contamination. • Humans acquire the infection as accidental hosts. • Eggs are shed in the stool of the definitive host. • Following ingestion of infective eggs, the eggs hatch and larvae penetrate the gut wall • The larvae migrate through the lungs, and enter the esophagus. Adult worms develop in the small intestine. Presentation: • Toxocariasis - Visceral Larva Migrans (VLM) • Ocular larva migrans Diagnosis: • History + clinical examination + leukocytosis and eosinophilia • ELISA antibody assays detect human IgG antibodies • Stool examinations are not helpful Treatment: • Moderate: Albendazole • Severe: add Prednisone By @TheIDtrivia #Toxocariasis #Toxocara #diagnosis #management #infectiousdiseases #treatment #microbiology
