Visceral Larva Migrans Syndromes Associated with Toxocariasis: Epidemiology, Clinical and Laboratory Aspects of Human Toxocariasis

Toxocariasis is caused by the helminth Toxocara spp. Its prevalence is underestimated in many settings and affects primarily children due to their vulnerability. Toxocariasis may be an asymptomatic infection or it may progress to cause severe clinical forms. The aim of this paper is to describe the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical and laboratory diagnosis of visceral larva migrans that manifest in the liver, lung, or central nervous system. It is recommended that antiparasitic treatment should be instituted even in asymptomatic patients to prevent migration of the larva to vital organs. There is a lack of awareness of the population of this parasitic infection and also among clinicians regarding the clinical manifestations of toxocariasis. The lack of public health preventive measures leads to its high prevalence in many settings, usually impoverished areas in tropical settings. Thus, it is imperative to prevent transmission and to provide early treatment of asymptomatic or symptomatic cases to prevent complications and late sequelae of this parasitic infection. © 2014, Springer International Publishing AG.