Zoonotic roundworm infections

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 1993 Sep;7(3):717-32.

Abstract

The larval stage of several animal parasites can infect humans and produce severe disease. Visceral and ocular larval migrans caused by the common dog roundworm, Toxocara canis, are two well-recognized clinical syndromes. With the wider availability of serodiagnostic tests for toxocaral infection, other syndromes characterized by neuropsychologic deficits, epilepsy, asthma, abdominal distress, and chronic allergy have been described. Treatment with corticosteroids in conjunction with anthelminthic drugs may be life- or sight-saving. Recognition of the risk factors for infection is key to prevention, reinfection, and more serious illness.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Cats
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dirofilariasis* / diagnosis
  • Dogs
  • Eye Infections, Parasitic / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Parasitic / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Larva Migrans / diagnosis
  • Larva Migrans, Visceral / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Raccoons
  • Toxocariasis* / diagnosis
  • Toxocariasis* / drug therapy
  • Zoonoses*

Substances

  • Anthelmintics