Visceral Larva Migrans Treatment & Management

  • Author: Raymond D Pitetti, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 19, 2011
 

Medical Care

  • Therapy in patients with visceral larva migrans (VLM) is aimed at relieving symptoms and is intended to diminish the host inflammatory response to the parasite. Corticosteroids and antihistamines are often used for this purpose. Patients with myocarditis or CNS disease should always be treated with corticosteroids.
  • Antiparasite agents, such as mebendazole, may help reduce symptoms; however, systemic treatment with anthelminthics can result in hypersensitivity reactions. Clinical trials have raised questions about their efficacy.
  • Attempt to identify the source of infection. Infected puppies and kittens should be treated with appropriate anthelminthic agents.
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Consultations

  • Consider infectious diseases consultation in unusual or difficult cases.
  • Consider other consultations depending on the organ system involved.
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Diet

  • No special diet is necessary for acute treatment.
  • If children have a history of pica (eg, eating dirt, paint chips), attempts should be made to alter the behavior.
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Activity

  • No activity restrictions are required beyond that required for the treatment of the acute infection or its sequelae.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Raymond D Pitetti, MD, MPH  Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Associate Division Chief, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine; Associate Medical Director, Emergency Department; Medical Director, Sedation Services; Medical Director, Express Care; Medical Director, Patient Safety; Consulting Staff, University of Pittsburgh Physicians

Raymond D Pitetti, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Allegheny County Medical Society, American Academy of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania Medical Society, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD  Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: GlaxoSmithKline Honoraria Speaking and teaching; MedImmune Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Sanofi Pasteur Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Baxter Healthcare Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Leslie L Barton, MD  Professor Emerita of Pediatrics, University of Arizona College of Medicine

Leslie L Barton, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Association of Pediatric Program Directors, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP  Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine

Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society of Hospital Medicine

Disclosure: Baxter Honoraria Consulting

Chief Editor

Russell W Steele, MD  Head, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ochsner Children's Health Center; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine

Russell W Steele, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Diagram of the Toxocara canis life cycle image. Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
 
 
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