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Visceral larva migrans
A disease, chiefly of children, caused by ingestion of infective ova of Toxocara canis, less commonly by other ascarid nematodes not adapted to humans, the larvae of which hatch in the intestine, penetrate the gut wall, and wander in the viscera (chiefly the liver) for periods of up to 18–24 months; may be asymptomatic or may be marked by hepatomegaly (with granulomatous lesions caused by encapsulated larvae in the enlarged liver), pulmonary infiltration, fever, cough, hyperglobulinemia, and sustained high eosinophilia. | |
