Lagochilascariasis leading to severe involvement of ocular globes, ears and meninges

Emerging Lagochilascaris minor infections in domestic cats from Costa Rica: A zoonotic threat for the region

Two cases of lagochilascariasis minor in domestic cats from Costa Rica within a period of two months are recorded for the first time in Central America. Clinical findings included purulent discharge and a tumor in the left ear in one of the cats, whereas the other cat had an ulcerated cervical lesion. Both patients underwent surgical procedures during which nematode worms were collected and analyzed. The collected nematodes were identified using a combination of morphological and molecular assays, which revealed a 99.1% similarity in the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 with L. minor from Mexico. The lack of information on this parasitosis, as well as the enormous harm it does to animal and human hosts, highlights the need for more research and awareness in Costa Rica and Central America. Furthermore, the unexpected occurrence of these instances in the same location emphasizes the imminent zoonotic risk to humans and the active circulation of the parasite.

Lagoquilascariasis in domestic cat (Felis catus domesticus) - case report

ABSTRACT Lagoquilascariasis is a zoonotic disease caused by a nematode parasite of the genus Lagochilascaris (Family Ascarididae), with the ingestion of contaminated rodents being the main source of infection. The main clinical signs are dysphagia and the presence of ulcerated nodules in the cervical region. The objective was to describe a case of lagaroquilascariasis in a domestic cat, in the city of Caxias do Sul / RS. A young adult male feline, without defined breed presented lethargy, dehydration, bilateral fistulas in the oropharynx cavity, right eyeball with exophthalmos, corneal opacity, third eyelid prolapse and periocular ulcerated skin lesion in the upper medial region. The diagnosis was made through the visualization and microscopic identification of the parasite Lagochilascaris minor and coproparasitological examination with the presence of eggs. Treatment was based on the use of doramectin and sanitary measures. According to the current literature, there are few reports of lagoquilascariasis in felines with clinical presentation similar to this case, since the most common is the formation of an abscess in the neck region. Morover, it is the first case described in the municipality, thus contributing to the epidemiology of the disease.

Unusual case of lagochilascariasis with breast involvement: the first case report in pregnancy

Lagochilascariasis is a neglected neotropical helminthiasis, responsible for human infections through the ingestion of raw or undercooked meat from wild animals infected by larvae encysted in their tissues. It is characterized by a chronic evolution with periods of remission and recurrences, affecting mainly the head and neck regions. It can progress to death by invasion of the central nervous system. It is caused by the Lagochilascaris minor nematode, first described in 1909 and mainly found in the Brazilian Amazon ecosystem, notably in Para State. In May 2010, a 15-year-old female, born in the city of Aveiro, Para State, was hospitalized in the city of Santarem, Para State, presenting with cervical and spinal abscesses and osteolytic lesions at T3-T5 level. During hospitalization, white larvae identified as L. minor were observed in a cervical subcutaneous fistula. After the surgical drainage of abscesses, albendazole 400 mg/day was started, with improvement of symptoms. The patient abandoned the follow-up and in January 2016, during the 20^th week of pregnancy, she was readmitted to the Santarem Municipal Hospital with new cervical abscesses in the infra-mammary region, with numerous larvae exiting by subcutaneous left breast fistulas. The antiparasitic treatment was restarted due to possible reactivation of the infection in the spine and dissemination to the central nervous system. Ten weeks after hospital discharge, the patient had resolution of the fistulas and decreased abscesses, without gestational complications. This is the first case report of lagochilascariasis during pregnancy, as well as of involvement of mammary glands.

Toxocariasis and the clinical spectrum

Toxocara canis and T. cati are among the most widely distributed helminthic species in the world with a high zoonotic impact. Millions of people are infected^a and hundreds of thousands are suffering from toxocarosis, a disease encompassing four different entities: larva migrans visceralis (VLM) syndrome, ocular larva migrans (OLM) syndrome, covert toxocarosis (covT), common toxocarosis (comT) and neurotoxocarosis (NT). Toxocara infections in humans may remain clinically inapparent but may also induce severe diseases. This contribution gives a synoptic overview of the most important historical, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutical aspects of toxocarosis in humans.

Lagochilascaris minor (Nematoda, Ascarididae) in a domestic cat in a coastal city of the state of São Paulo

This paper describes the discovery of Lagochilascaris minor parasitizing a stray cat (Felis catus) in São Sebastião, a coastal city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The cat presented fistulas with purulent secretion in the ventral cervical region. A thorough evaluation revealed nematodes in the site. The parasites were removed, amounting to a total of about 100 specimens. The parasite species was identified based on measurements and morphological characteristics of adult worms. This report of parasitism by L. minor in domestic cats in the state of São Paulo reinforces the need for greater attention to this parasitosis, given the increase in cases among carnivores in Brazil.

Human lagochilascariasis-A rare helminthic disease

Lagochilascariasis is a parasitic disease caused by a helminth of the order Ascaroidea, genus Lagochilascaris that comprises 6 species, among which only Lagochilascaris minor Leiper, 1909, is implicated in the human form of the disease. It is remarkable that the majority of cases of human lagochilascariasis in the Americas have been reported in Brazil. The natural definitive hosts of this parasite seem to be wild felines and canines. Lagochilascariasis is mostly a chronic human disease that can persist for several years, in which the parasite burrows into the subcutaneous tissues of the neck, paranasal sinuses, and mastoid. L. minor exhibits remarkable ability to migrate through the tissues of its hosts, destroying even bone tissue. Fatal cases have been described in which the parasite was found in the lungs or central nervous system. Treatment is often palliative, with recurrence of lesions. This paper summarizes the main features of the disease and its etiologic agent, including prevalence, life cycle, clinical course, and treatment.

EVALUATION OF THE THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF LEVAMISOLE HYDROCHLORIDE ON THIRD-STAGE LARVAE OF Lagochilascaris minor IN EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED MICE

Lagochilascariosis, a disease caused by Lagochilascaris minor, affects the neck, sinuses, tonsils, lungs, the sacral region, dental alveoli, eyeballs and the central nervous system of humans. A cycle of autoinfection may occur in human host tissues characterized by the presence of eggs, larvae and adult worms. This peculiarity of the cycle hinders therapy, since there are no drugs that exhibit ovicidal, larvicidal and vermicidal activity. Given these facts, we studied the action of levamisole hydrochloride on third-stage larvae in the migration phase (G1) and on encysted larvae (G3) of L. minor. To this end, 87 inbred mice of the C57BL/6 strain were divided into test groups comprising 67 animals (G1-37; G3-30) and a control group (G2-10; G4-10) with 20 animals. Each animal was inoculated orally with 2,000 infective eggs of the parasite. The animals of the test groups were treated individually with a single oral dose of levamisole hydrochloride at a concentration of 0.075 mg. The drug was administered either 30 minutes prior to the parasite inoculation (G1 animals) or 120 days after the inoculation (G3 animals). The mice in the control groups were not treated with the drug. After the time required for the migration and the encysting of L. minor larvae, all the animals were euthanized and their tissues examined. The data were analyzed using the Student's unpaired t-test and the Levene test. The groups showed no statistically significant difference. Levamisole hydrochloride was ineffective on third-stage larvae of L. minor. These findings explain the massive expulsion of live adult worms, as well as the use of long treatment schemes, owing to the persistence of larvae and eggs in human parasitic lesions.

A Case of Lagochilascariasis in Suriname with the Involvement of the ENT System and the Skull Base

We describe a case of human lagochilascariasis, with skull-base involvement and a chronic and relapsing course after treatment. This rare parasitic infection is usually manifested in the head and neck area, characterized by progressive granulomatous inflammation and the formation of abscesses. Transmission to humans most likely occurs by the consumption of undercooked meat of wild rodents. On the basis of literature studies, we propose the most likely life cycle of the parasite that involves wild feline and rodent species, with humans as accidental hosts. Even in endemic areas, it is very difficult to recognize the disease at an early stage. Progression will eventually lead to involvement of the (central) nervous system, as described in our case. Treatment is often difficult and involves resection and prolonged treatment with anthelmintic drugs. Recurrences are not uncommon and at present, long-term oral administration of ivermectin seems to be the most effective treatment.

Dogs, cats, parasites, and humans in Brazil: opening the black box

Dogs and cats in Brazil serve as primary hosts for a considerable number of parasites, which may affect their health and wellbeing. These may include endoparasites (e.g., protozoa, cestodes, trematodes, and nematodes) and ectoparasites (i.e., fleas, lice, mites, and ticks). While some dog and cat parasites are highly host-specific (e.g., Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Felicola subrostratus for cats, and Angiostrongylus vasorum and Trichodectes canis for dogs), others may easily switch to other hosts, including humans. In fact, several dog and cat parasites (e.g., Toxoplasma gondii, Dipylidium caninum, Ancylostoma caninum, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Toxocara canis) are important not only from a veterinary perspective but also from a medical standpoint. In addition, some of them (e.g., Lynxacarus radovskyi on cats and Rangelia vitalii in dogs) are little known to most veterinary practitioners working in Brazil. This article is a compendium on dog and cat parasites in Brazil and a call for a One Health approach towards a better management of some of these parasites, which may potentially affect humans. Practical aspects related to the diagnosis, treatment, and control of parasitic diseases of dogs and cats in Brazil are discussed.

Helminthic invasion of the central nervous system: many roads lead to Rome

Invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) by parasitic worms often represents most severe complication of human helminthiasis. The pathways from the portal of entry to the CNS are manifold and differ from species to species. In this mini-review, we analysed the contemporary knowledge and current concepts of the routes pathogenic helminths take to gain access to brain, spinal cord and subarachnoid space.