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Visceral larva migrans - Symptom

Alternative Names

Toxocariasis; Ocular larva migrans; Larva migrans visceralis

Symptoms:

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.

Signs and tests:

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
Serology for anti-Toxocara antibodies (blood test to detect and diagnose the infection)

Digestive system organs

Reviewed last on: 12/3/2008
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.

References

Kazura JW. Nematode infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 378.

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