Visceral larva Migrans in a Young Italian Patient: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Francalanci, E.; Gobbi, F.; Bartoloni, A.; Bandini, G.; Bonelli, S.I.; Gotuzzo Herencia, José Eduardo; Blanc, P.; Manciulli, T.; Brunetti, E.; Cretu, C.M.; Zammarchi, L.

dc.contributor.author	Francalanci, E.
dc.contributor.author	Manciulli, T.
dc.contributor.author	Bandini, G.
dc.contributor.author	Blanc, P.
dc.contributor.author	Bonelli, S.I.
dc.contributor.author	Brunetti, E.
dc.contributor.author	Gotuzzo Herencia, José Eduardo
dc.contributor.author	Cretu, C.M.
dc.contributor.author	Gobbi, F.
dc.contributor.author	Bartoloni, A.
dc.contributor.author	Zammarchi, L.
dc.date.accessioned	2023-12-05T17:48:05Z
dc.date.available	2023-12-05T17:48:05Z
dc.date.issued	2023
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12866/14682
dc.description.abstract	Background: The association of fever, focal hepatic lesions and peripheral hyper-eosinophilia (FHLH) can be observed in both infectious and non-infectious conditions. Fascioliasis, capillariasis, toxocariasis, all causes of visceral larva migrans (VLM), represent most of the former, whilst lymphomas, eosinophilic leukemias and mastocytosis belong in the non-infectious conditions. Methods: We prospectively followed a young patient presenting with FHLH in the Tuscany region of Italy. Results: The patient was subject to serological and parasitological examination in an attempt to clarify the origin of the lesions. Serologies for both Fasciola hepatica and Toxocara spp. were positive, with the latter presenting a higher index. We opted for treatment with a prolonged course of albendazole due to the serological results and being toxocariasis more frequent in our setting. The patient was then subject to radiological follow-up. The patient responded to treatment with albendazole as shown by a decrease in eosinophils, seronegativization for Toxocara spp., clinical and radiological improvement. Toxocariasis was hence considered the most likely diagnosis. Conclusions: Parasitic infections cannot be disregarded in the presence of FHLH. Differential diagnosis between these parasitic infections can be challenging due to the presence of similar clinical presentations and serological cross-reactions, and follow-up of the patient is needed to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.	en_US
dc.language.iso	eng
dc.publisher	Springer
dc.relation.ispartofseries	Acta Parasitologica
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
dc.subject	Visceral larva migrans	en_US
dc.subject	Toxocariasis	en_US
dc.subject	Fascioliasis	en_US
dc.subject	Focal liver lesion	en_US
dc.subject	Diagnosis	en_US
dc.subject	Serology	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Larva Migrans Visceral
dc.subject.mesh	Toxocariasis
dc.subject.mesh	Fascioliasis
dc.subject.mesh	Hígado
dc.subject.mesh	Diagnóstico
dc.subject.mesh	Serología
dc.title	Visceral larva Migrans in a Young Italian Patient: A Diagnostic Dilemma	en_US
dc.type	info:eu-repo/semantics/article
dc.identifier.doi	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-023-00723-9
dc.subject.ocde	https://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#3.03.07
dc.relation.issn	1896-1851