From the Guidelines
Toxocara catis typically presents with asymptomatic infection, but when symptomatic, it is characterized by fever, eosinophilia, wheeze, and cough, often accompanied by abdominal pain, hepatosplenomegaly, and urticarial rash, primarily in children under 5 years old. The clinical presentation of Toxocara catis infection can vary, but it is usually seen in young children, although adults can also be infected through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat 1. Some key features of the infection include:
- Asymptomatic infection in many cases
- Symptomatic presentation with fever, eosinophilia, wheeze, and cough
- Abdominal pain, hepatosplenomegaly, and urticarial rash may also occur
- Typically affects children under 5 years old, but can also occur in adults through raw meat consumption 1. Visceral larva migrans and ocular larva migrans are two potential complications of Toxocara catis infection, with the former causing an eosinophilic meningoencephalitis 1.
From the Research
Toxocara catis Presentation
- Toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease that occurs when humans are infected by the parasites Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati 2.
- Clinical presentation can range from asymptomatic infection to more severe disease, including visceral and ocular larva migrans, neurotoxocariasis, and covert/common toxocariasis 3.
- Diagnosis of toxocariasis is based on suggestive clinical findings, eosinophilia, and a positive serological testing 2.
- The disease can be associated with complications, such as allergic and/or neurological disorders, possibly including cognitive or developmental delays in children 3.
Treatment and Prevention
- Albendazole represents the first-line treatment, associated with corticosteroids in case of severe disease 2, 4.
- Chemotherapy in humans varies, depending on symptoms and location of larvae, and may include the administration of albendazole or mebendazole, together with anti-inflammatory corticosteroids 3.
- Prophylactic measures in humans or companion animals are efficient and represent first-line treatments for the control of this zoonosis, including deworming cats, hygiene practices, and public education to mitigate risks 5, 4.
Epidemiology
- Toxocariasis is highly prevalent in tropical areas, but can also be found in industrialized countries, particularly in rural areas 2.
- The global pooled prevalence of Toxocara cati in cats using coproparasitological methods was 17.0% (95.0% CI: 16.2-17.8%) 5.
- The interplay between animal and human health should be emphasized, necessitating measures to mitigate risks and prevent human transmission 5.