Migrating larva (larva migrans): causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Very close to the clinical manifestations of the linear migrating miase is the "migratory larva" ( larva migrans) , a skin disease caused by the larval of intestinal worms, most often by hookworm (Ancylistoma brasiliense, A. Ceylonicum, A. Caninum). All these parasites are the intestinal worms of animals, primarily dogs and cats.

In favorable conditions of high humidity and temperature of tropical regions, the eggs of worms that have fallen to the ground with animal feces quickly turn into larvae, which penetrate into the human skin when it comes into contact with infected soil. Warm, moist sand in shaded areas is a particularly favorable place for active larvae to stay, and children playing on the ground or vacationing on beaches vacationers become the nearest targets for infection. Agricultural workers, gardeners, hunters and others who contact open skin with soil are often infected.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]

Symptoms of the migrating larva

Most often, the penetration of the larvae into the skin takes place in the region of the feet and buttocks. Symptoms of migrating larvae depend on the progress of the larvae in the upper layers of the dermis, which cause nonspecific dermatitis of a linear filamentary character up to 3 mm in width, whimsical shapes and interlaces. The progress of the larva in the skin (occurring up to several centimeters) is accompanied by severe itching, burning, which leads to combs, sometimes significant, and the occurrence of secondary infection. With the simultaneous penetration of several larvae, the interweaving of the dermatitis filaments becomes especially confusing, but the area of the skin lesion is always limited to a certain extent, the larvae as if "spinning" in one place.

The evolution of the migrating larva is self-limited in time. The length of stay of the larva in the skin is very variable and depends on the variety of the worm. In many cases, larvae die in the skin for 4 weeks, on the other hand, it is known that they persisted for several months.

Diagnosis of a migratory larva

In typical cases, the diagnosis of a migratory larva presents no difficulties, which, however, may occur in cases of significant scratching and secondary infection. Differential diagnosis of the migrating larva is performed with a linear miase.

[9], [10], [11], [12], [13]

Treatment of migratory larvae

Treatment of migratory larvae consists in the administration of ivermectin in a single dose of 200 mg / kg. An alternative is external application of 10% thiabendazole. The destruction of the larvae is also caused by irrigation of the alleged place of its presence with chloroethyl.