What is Microbiology - Visceral Larva Migrans

​Visceral Larva Migrans


Visceral larva migrans is a migratory of larvae of nematode roundworm such as toxocara canis and toxocara cati. 

Tocoxara infection can be confirmed by examination for the present of larvae in the tissue biopsies and serological testing. 

Toxocara canis is mostly affect the dogs as the host while toxocara cati is affecting the cats as the host. Dead end host is the humans. The infection can be prevented by proper pet hygiene and pet deworming.

Patient may appear asymptomatic or suffer from symptoms and signs such as fever, rash, abdominal pain and hepatomegaly. 

Toxacara infection is transmitted via ingestion of eggs from the stools of the cats and dogs. 

Larvae will develop from the egg and invade the small intestine. The larvae will enter the bloodstream and spreading to lungs, kidney, hearts, muscle,eyes and liver as well as central nervous system. 

The larvae will die and eosinophilic granuloma may develop. 

The complication of the infection may include blindness due to involvement of  the retinal , central nervous system abnormalities, respiratory disorders and cardiac abnormalities. 

The treatment may include medication such as diethylcarbamazine and corticosteroids.