One Confirmed and Six Suspected Cases of Cutaneous Larva Migrans Caused by Overseas Infection with Dog Hookworm Larvae

Abstract

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is characterized as creeping eruption/serpiginous erythema and/or mobile erythematous induration on the skin. In Japan, Gnathostoma spp. are the most well known pathogens causing CLM, especially the creeping eruption type. Recently, Spirurina type X larvae have been added to the list of causative agents for creeping eruption in Japan. Here we report one confirmed and 6 suspected cases of creeping eruption caused by infection with dog hookworm larvae. The patients were assumed to have been infected overseas. Dog hookworms such as Ancylostoma caninum and A. brasiliense should be considered as possible causative agents for creeping eruption, especially when the patients have a history of travelling overseas.

Parasitic Diseases

“…Eggs are not immediately infective and must larvate, hatch, and develop into infective third -stage larvae before becoming a source of infection. 2 In other regions where endogenous cases are rare, most infections are travel associated, 359 particularly in individuals that have spent time on beaches in tropical countries. 340 The role of U. stenocephala in cutaneous larva migrans is unclear.…”

Prevalence of intestinal parasites and genotyping of Giardia intestinalis in pet shop puppies in east Japan

“…Ancylostoma caninum has been reported to growth to the adult worm in human small intestine, causing eosinophilic enteritis (Croese et al, 1994;Prociv, 1997). In addition, hookworm larvae may migrate in the human skin (cutaneous larva migrans) (Nakamura-Uchiyama et al, 2002;Bowman et al, 2010). Giardia spp.…”

Case of creeping disease treated with ivermectin

“…infection showed seropositive against two hookworm antigens (N. americanus and A. caninum). 1 In contrast, in cases with Gnathostoma and Ascaris spp. infection, microplate ELISA is usually positive and has diagnostic significance.…”

“…is most common in people who eat freshwater fish or the Japanese copperhead snake, whereas larval hookworm infection such as Ancylosotoma canium and Ancylostoma brasilliense is rare and is usually present as percutaneous infection. 1 Ivermectin has been commonly used against onchocerciasis and scabies. 2 Recently, some cases have been reported of creeping disease treated successfully by oral administration of ivermectin in European and North American countries.…”

“…In Japan, creeping disease caused by Gnathostoma spp. is most common in people who eat freshwater fish or the Japanese copperhead snake, whereas larval hookworm infection such as Ancylosotoma canium and Ancylostoma brasilliense is rare and is usually present as percutaneous infection 1 …”