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Visceral larva migrans - Treatment

Alternative Names

Toxocariasis; Ocular larva migrans; Larva migrans visceralis

Treatment:

This infection usually goes away on its own and may not require treatment. However, some people may need anti-parasitic drugs such as albendazole.

Expectations (prognosis):

Mild infections may go away without treatment. Severe infections involving the brain or heart can result in death, but this is rare.

Complications:

Blindness
Decreased visual acuity (worsened eyesight)
Encephalitis (infection of the brain)
Heart arrhythmias
Respiratory distress

Calling your health care provider:

Contact your health care provider if you develop any of the following symptoms:

Cough
Difficulty breathing
Eye problems
Fever
Rash

A full medical exam is needed to rule out visceral larva migrans. There are many conditions that cause similar symptoms.

Digestive system organs

Reviewed last on: 12/10/2010
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.

Nash TE. Visceral larvae migrans and other unusual helminth infections. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolan R, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Orlando, FL: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 291.

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