Eye
Retina
Visceral larva migrans
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 February 2014
Last staff update: 13 June 2022
Copyright: 2004-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Visceral larva migrans retina
Cite this page: Pernick N. Visceral larva migrans. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/eyeretinaviscerallarvamigrans.html. Accessed April 17th, 2024.
Definition / general
- A type of nematodiasis (parasitic disease)
- Somewhat common in US and Great Britain
- Usually produced by Toxocara canis in children ages 3 - 14 years without systemic disease
- Single migrating larva enters eye hematogenously and rests in vitreous or inner surface of retina with accompanying acute and chronic inflammatory cells and intense eosinophilia
- Late changes are scarring, retinal detachment and leukokoria, simulating retinoblastoma
- Dead larvae may cause minute granulomas, found with serial sectioning
Gross images
AFIP images
White sclerotic vitreous mass
Microscopic (histologic) images
AFIP images
Vitreous mass contains collagen (trichrome stain)
Acidophilic material and scattered eosinophils
