Visceral Larva Migrans

Abstract

VISCERAL larva migrans, a syndrome with a wide variety of manifestations, is frequently not recognized. It has implications of importance to all physicians. Beaver et al.1 and Smith and Beaver2 have shown that this syndrome is caused by the ingestion of embryonated ova of dog or cat roundworms (Toxocara canis or Toxocara mystax). Similar syndromes are caused by other parasites.3 , 4 The most consistent finding in visceral larva migrans has been a leukocytosis with marked esosinophilia. White-cell counts usually range from 12,000 to 100,000, with eosinophils making up 15 to 80 per cent of the total. Eosinophilia may persist for several . . .