120 - Toxocariasis

Abstract

Toxocariasis is a dead-end human zoonotic infection caused by the dog and cat ascarid roundworms Toxocara canis and cati, respectively. Human toxocariasis is usually seen among young children with exposure to dogs, cats, and their feces. Clinically active disease usually manifests as visceral toxocariasis (visceral larva migrans; VLM) or ocular toxocariasis (ocular larva migrans; OLM). Diagnosis rests on clinical recognition and serology. Treatment involves albendazole and steroids. Prevention involves limiting geophagia and fecal–oral transmission.