Visceral larva migrans

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Digestive system organs

Visceral larva migrans is an infection caused by certain parasites found in the intestines of dogs and cats. Persons who swallow dirt contaminated with dog or cat feces can catch the infection.

Toxocariasis; Ocular larva migrans; Larva migrans visceralis

Visceral larva migrans is caused by worms (parasites) that infect the intestines of dogs and cats. The dog parasite is called Toxocara canis and the cat parasite is called Toxocara cati. Eggs produced by the worms are left in the feces of the animals. The feces mix with soil and dirt, allowing the infection to spread to humans. Humans may get sick if they eat unwashed raw vegetables that grew in the infected soil.

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Young children with pica (eating inedible things such as dirt) are at highest risk, but this infection can also occur in adults. People can also become infected by eating raw liver.

After a person swallows the contaminated soil, the worm eggs break open in the gastrointestinal tract and are carried throughout the body to various places, such as the lungs, liver, and eyes. The brain, heart, and other organs can also be affected.

Review Date: 10/09/2006
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.