HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Schantz, P. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Schantz, P. M.

Toxocara Larva Migrans now

It has been nearly 4 decades since Paul Beaver and others first identified Toxocara larvae as the cause of a common disease in children. Our knowledge of the frequency and type of illness produced by Toxocara ssp. has increased greatly during this time. Although under-recognized and under-reported, toxocaral larva migran is now recognized as a widespread and common human infection. Among helminth infections in developed countries, it is perhaps second in frequency only to pinworm.

Potential etiologic agents of larva migrans syndromes include a wide range of zoonotic helminths. Toxocara canis and T. cati, the common ascarids of dogs and cats, are incriminated most frequently, at least in temperate climates. This is a result of many factors including the high frequency of pet ownership, the high prevalence of Toxocara species in dogs and cats, and the long persistence of infective Toxocara eggs in the environment.^1-3

Widespread environmental contamination with Toxocara eggs, the attraction of children to the animals and their environment, and the play habits of children combine to facilitate human infection with Toxocara ssp.