Authors: Rubinsky-Elefant, G.¹; Hirata, C. E.²; Yamamoto, J. H.²; Ferreira, M. U.³

Source: Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Volume 104, Number 1, January 2010 , pp. 3-23(21)

Publisher: Maney Publishing

Abstract:

Although human toxocariasis ranks among the most common zoonotic infections worldwide, it remains relatively unknown to the public. The causal agents are the nematode parasites Toxocara canis and T. cati, whose definitive hosts are dogs and cats, respectively. When embryonated eggs are accidentally ingested by humans, larvae hatch in the small intestine, penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate, via the bloodstream, to the liver, lungs, muscles, eye and central nervous system. Although most human infections are asymptomatic, two well-defined clinical syndromes are classically recognised: visceral larva migrans (a systemic disease caused by larval migration through major organs) and ocular larva migrans (a disease limited to the eyes and optic nerves). Two less-severe syndromes have recently been described, one mainly in children (covert toxocariasis) and the other mainly in adults (common toxocariasis). Here, the current laboratory diagnosis, epidemiology and main clinical features of both the systemic and ocular forms of human toxocariasis are reviewed. New developments in serological diagnosis are described, the available seroprevalence data are analysed, and the results of relevant clinical studies that have been published over the last decade are explored, to provide an updated overview of this neglected but highly prevalent human infection.

Document Type: Review Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/136485910X12607012373957

Affiliations: 1: Laboratory of Seroepidemiology and Immunobiology, Institute of Tropical Medicine of São Paulo, Avenida Dr Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar 470, 05403-000, São Paulo, SP, Brazil 2: Division of Ophthalmology, Hospital of Clinics of the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Avenida Dr Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar 255, 05403-001, São Paulo, SP, Brazil 3: Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes 1374, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil;, Email: muferrei@usp.br

Publication date: 2010-01-01

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• In 2012 Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology changed its name to Pathogens and Global Health to reflect changes and developments in the subject area. View the issues of Pathogens and Global Health available online..
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