Knowra Toxocariasis Toxocariasis Toxocariasis is an infection caused by Toxocara roundworms. In humans, ingested eggs hatch into larvae that migrate through tissues and can damage organs or eyes.
Toxocara canis : A roundworm of dogs whose eggs can cause toxocariasis in humans and other hosts. Its eggs are a major source of human infection, especially where dog feces contaminate soil.
Soil-transmitted helminthiasis : A group of intestinal worm infections spread through eggs or larvae in contaminated soil. Toxocara exposure shares the environmental pathway, though human infection does not mature into adult intestinal worms.
Eosinophilic granuloma : A localized tissue lesion rich in eosinophils, often formed in response to parasites or other stimuli. Toxocara larvae can provoke eosinophil-rich lesions in affected organs.
Ascariasis : An intestinal infection caused by the human roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides. Unlike Toxocara larvae, Ascaris matures into adult worms in the human intestine.
Toxocara cati : A roundworm of cats that can infect humans when its eggs are ingested. It is the feline source of toxocariasis, alongside the more familiar dog roundworm.
Fecal–oral transmission : Transmission of pathogens when infectious material from feces is ingested. People acquire Toxocara by swallowing eggs contaminating soil, food, hands, or objects.
Hepatomegaly : Abnormal enlargement of the liver. Liver enlargement can accompany visceral toxocariasis when larvae migrate through hepatic tissue.
Baylisascariasis : A parasitic disease caused by larvae of Baylisascaris roundworms, often involving the nervous system. It also follows ingestion of roundworm eggs, but its larvae can cause severe neurologic disease.
Visceral larva migrans : A syndrome in which animal roundworm larvae migrate through internal organs. This is the organ-involving form of toxocariasis caused by larval migration.
Toxocara serology : Blood testing for antibodies against Toxocara antigens. Antibody testing supports diagnosis when interpreted with symptoms and exposure, since it cannot alone prove active disease.
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