visceral larva migrans

Etiology: - ingestion of infective ova of Toxocara canis & less commonly other nematodes not adapted to intestinal maturation in humans Epidemiology: - generally affects children Pathology: 1) eggs hatch in the intestine, penetrate the gut wall, & wander in the viscera (mainly the liver) for periods up to 18-24 months 2) hepatic granulomas 3) pulmonary infiltration Clinical manifesatations: 1) may be asymptomatic 2) hepatomegaly 3) fever 4) cough Laboratory: 1) hypergammaglobulinemia 2) sustained high eosinophilia

References

Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999