Occupational risk of cutaneous larva migrans: A case report and a systematic literature review

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2022 May 12;16(5):e0010330. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010330. eCollection 2022 May.

Abstract

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a parasitic zoonosis of warm tropical and subtropical areas, although autochthonous cases have been increasingly reported in Western European countries. Data on the prevalence of CLM as an occupational disease in workers exposed to potentially contaminated soil or in close contact with dogs and cats are scant. Herein, we report an autochthonous case of CLM in a dog breeder from southern Italy (Apulia region), along with a systematic literature review describing the risk of CLM infection, mainly according to job categories. The patient was referred to the dermatology unit presenting a serpiginous lesion on his hand, raising the suspected CLM diagnosis. In non-endemic areas, CLM might represent a challenge for physicians in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, particularly in workplaces. The multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis of CLM with the involvement of different scientific competences (i.e., dermatologists, veterinarians, and occupational physicians) may contribute to further assess the distribution of human CLM and associated risk factors, toward reducing the risk for the infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases*
  • Cats
  • Dog Diseases*
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Larva Migrans* / diagnosis
  • Larva Migrans* / epidemiology
  • Larva Migrans* / parasitology
  • Veterinarians*
  • Zoonoses / epidemiology

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.