Toxocariasis
Toxocariasis is a zoonotic (animal to human) infection caused by the parasitic roundworms commonly found in the intestine of dogs (Toxocara canis) and cats (T. cati). In the United States alone, an estimated 10,000 cases of Toxocara infections occur yearly in humans. There are two major forms of toxocariasis: Ocular larva migrans (OLM):Toxocara infections can cause OLM, an eye disease that can cause blindness. OLM occurs when a microscopic worm enters the eye; it may cause inflammation and formation of a scar on the retina. Each year more than 700 people infected with Toxocara experience permanent partial loss of vision. Secondly Visceral larva migrans (VLM): Heavier, or repeated Toxocara infections, while rare, can cause VLM, a disease that causes swelling of the body’s organs or central nervous system.
Manifestation: The symptoms of the disease are caused in OLM by a microscopic worm entering the eye that may cause inflammation and the formation of a scar on the retina which can lead to total loss of vision or the VLM which is caused by the movement of the worms through the body. Basic symptoms can include:
- fever
- coughing
- malaise
- asthma
- abdominal pain
- pneumonia
- loss of vision
How serious is infection with Toxocara?
In most cases, Toxocara infections are not serious, and many people, especially adults infected by a small number of larvae (immature worms), may not notice any symptoms. The most severe cases are rare, but are more likely to occur in young children, who often play in dirt, or eat dirt (pica) contaminated by dog or cat stool.
Diagnosis and treatment:VLM is treated with antiparasitic drugs, usually in combination with anti-inflammatory medications. Treatment of OLM is more difficult and usually consists of measures to prevent progressive damage to the eye, symptoms eventually die down, but it takes just one single larva in the eve to cause some degree of permanent visual impairment or even blindness.
How can you prevent toxocariasis?:
- Have your veterinarian treat your dogs and cats, especially young animals, regularly for worms.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water after playing with your pets and after outdoor activities, especially before you eat. Teach children to always wash their hands after playing with dogs and cats and after playing outdoors.
- Do not allow children to play in areas that are soiled with pet or other animal stool.
- Clean your pet’s living area at least once a week. Faeces should be either buried or bagged and disposed of in the trash.
- Teach children that it is dangerous to eat dirt or soil.
- Wash fruits and vegetables
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