Human toxocariasis: a report of nine cases

Aim: Human toxocariasis is caused by infection with the larval stage of nematode parasites of dogsand cats, Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati. These helminths are not able to complete their life cycle inundefinitive hosts and so undergo aberrant migrations in the tissues causing a wide spectrum ofsigns and symptoms. Eosinophilia is often severe and sometimes represents the only sign ofinfection, except in ocular and neurological forms.Methods: We describe the clinical features of nine children affected by toxocariasis admitted to ourInfectious Diseases department from 2004 to 2006.Results: Fever and hepatomegaly were the most common clinical findings. In two cases eosinophiliawas not present. Diagnosis was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay employingexcretory–secretory antigens of Toxocara. canis larvae. All patients were successfully treated with oralalbendazole with no side effects.