Cutaneous larva migrans

Reflectance Confocal Microscopy and Dermoscopy For the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cutaneous Larva Migrans

We describe a 39-year-old woman with a 1-month-old linear erythema diagnosed with cutaneous larva migrans by reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). This case reveals that the great significance of diagnosing and treating cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) by RCM and dermoscopy, which might provide novel insights into dermatological clinical practice.

Treatment of cutaneous larva migrans with a single session of carbon dioxide laser: a study of ten cases in the Philippines

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) has a detrimental effect on patients' emotional and physical quality of life. Due to local unavailability of gold standard oral treatments for CLM, carbon dioxide laser was attempted. We present a case series where a single session of carbon dioxide laser treatment was associated with cessation of signs and symptoms of CLM.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a single session of carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of CLM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten cases (eight patients) with CLM were treated with one session of carbon dioxide laser treatment and followed up daily for the first week with photographic documentation and then weekly for the next 3 weeks to complete a 4 week follow-up period.

RESULTS

The first cases in our series, who received one to two passes of fractional CO₂ laser, experienced further larval migration for 2-3 days, after which no more progression was noted. For the next seven cases, we increased the number of CO₂ laser passes to 3-4, and noted no further larval migration. At the end of the 4-week follow-up period, all CO₂ laser-treated areas were completely healed, leaving postinflammatory hyperpigmentation of the serpiginous track.

CONCLUSION

The results of this case series indicate the efficacy of a single session of CO₂ laser in treating CLM. Further studies are required to identify the minimum number of passes required to effectively control CLM.

Oral helminthic infestations

Oral infections caused by helminths (worms) are rarely encountered in clinical practice, and consequently, there is a paucity of information in the medical and dental literature about these conditions. In the present article, we review the English literature related to oral helminthic infestations. The main oral infections caused by helminths include four roundworm (trichinosis, trichuriasis, filariasis, and larva migrans) and three tapeworm infections (cysticercosis, sparganosis, and echinococcosis). Cases are mainly encountered in endemic areas and mainly present a benign clinical picture. The diagnosis of oral helminthic infections is mostly established after histopathological examination, which shows parasitic larvae lined by fibrous tissue and inflammatory cells. Surgical excision is the preferred treatment of isolated oral lesions caused by helminths; however, patients should undergo thorough medical evaluation to exclude the possible involvement of other body systems.

Molecular characterization of Ancylostoma braziliense larvae in a patient with hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans

We report a case of hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans diagnosed microscopically. Viable hookworm larvae were found by microscopic examination of a skin scraping from follicular lesions. Amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 2 allowed the specific identification of the larvae as Ancylostoma braziliense.