Resumo

RADMAN, Nilda et al. Neurologic Toxocariasis: Description of a Clinical Case. Rev. chil. neuro-psiquiatr. [online]. 2000, vol.38, n.3, pp. 196-2000. ISSN 0717-9227.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-92272000000300007.

Toxocariasis is a parasitosis caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara felis. Domestic dogs and cats are the natural hosts for these parasites. Accidental human infection occurs through ingestion of larvae present in soil, sand, water, and contaminated food. The great variability of clinical presentation, together with the lack of specific symptoms and the difficulty of reaching an accurate laboratory diagnosis, accounts for misdiagnosis of this helminthiasis. This article describes a clinical case of neurologic toxocariasis and discusses diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiology. The patient was a 42-year-old woman with a history of close contact with puppies and pregnant bitches, suffering from paraparesis and a neurogenic spastic bladder. Hepatomegaly as well as leukocytosis with severe eosinophilia (11,766 eosinophils/mm³) were present. Serum-specific antibodies to Toxocara canis were found in ELISA testing and confirmed by Western Blot. The patient was treated with albendazole (400 mg/day every 12 hours, P.O.) for seven days and with methylprednisone (80 mg/day, P.O.) for three weeks, followed by a gradual reduction of the dosage. Those living with the patient were tested for serum-specific antibodies to T. canis, and feces of the patient's dogs and soil from the environment were examined for parasites. Specific antibodies to T. canis were present in all of the serum samples and T. canis was detected in the soil.

Palavras-chave : toxocara canis; visceral larva migrans (VLM); neurologic toxocariasis.