Toxocariasis; Ocular larva migrans; Larva migrans visceralis

Mild infections may not cause symptoms.

More serious infections may cause the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Cough
• Fever
• Irritability
• Itchy skin (hives)
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing

If the eyes are infected (called ocular larva migrans), loss of vision and crossed eyes (strabismus) may occur.

If you have visceral larva migrans, you may have a higher-than-normal level of white blood cells.

People with this condition may also have signs of a swollen liver, rash, and lung or eye problems.

Tests may include:

• Complete blood count with differential
• Blood tests to detect antibodies to Toxocara

Images

Digestive system organs

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Visceral larva migrans Overview

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Visceral larva migrans Treatment

Review Date: 12/10/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)