Larva Migrans

Question 1

Larva migrans is synonymous with

Answer 1

Creeping eruption
Sand worm eruption
Plumbers itch

Question 2

Larva migrans is caused by

Answer 2

Larvae of various hookworms

Including 
Ancylostoma brasiliense 
A canium
A ceylonicum 
Uncinaria stenocephala 
Bubostomum phlebotomum

Question 3

In the domestic environment the common natural hosts for ancylostoma species are

Answer 3

Cats and dogs

Adult hookworms live in the intestines of these animals and their ova are deposited in their faeces

After the larva hatch in moist soil or sand they penetrate human skin of children playing in sand pits, farm workers or sea bathers

Question 4

The most common sites for larva migrans are

Answer 4

Bare feet hands of buttocks in children

They may occasionally involve the eyes go cause blindness or nah even involve the lungs

Question 5

Morphology of larva migrans

Answer 5

Itchy dermatitis at site of entry
After weeks or months there may be creeping activity resulting in bizarre polycyclic or serpentine patterns

If one larva is present there may be one thread, with multiple larva there may be large numbers if tortuous tracts

Question 6

What is the natural history of larva migrans

Answer 6

The disease is self limiting with larva surviving 3-4 weeks in most cases
Rarely it persists for months

Question 7

Treatment options for larva migrans (3)

Answer 7

1. Ivermectin as a single dose 200ugm/kg
2. Albendazole 400mg/day for 3 days
3. 10% thiabendazole bd topical