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Toxocariasis

Background

Human toxocariasis is an infection with the larval stage of the dog roundworm, Toxocara canis, a parasitic worm. The extent of involvement in human disease of the cat roundworm, Toxocara cati, is unknown. The disease is caught by swallowing the microscopic toxocara egg which is spread in infected dog or cat faeces.

Up to two per cent of the 'normal' population may be seropositive for toxocara antibodies. The ocular (eye-related) form of the disease occurs mainly in children between the ages of six and 12 years. It is rare in the UK. Visceral larval migrans usually self-resolves, but is treatable with anthelminthic drugs.

What are the symptoms? View What are the symptoms?

Medical text written May 1996 by Community Hygiene Concern. Approved May 1996 by Dr P Chiodini. Last updated August 2006 by Professor P Chiodini, Consultant Parasitologist, Hospital for Tropical diseases, London, UK.

 

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