[Multiple pulmonary opacities revealing toxocariasis]

Abstract

Introduction: Toxocariasis is a parasitosis which complicates the accidental infestation of the humans by larvae of a roundworms belonging of the genus Toxocara. In adults, the discovery is often incidental during a hypereosinophilia check-up. Clinical signs are not specific and depend on affected organs.

Case report: We report the case of a 53-year-old-woman who has consulted for a recent cough, after spontaneous resolution of abdominal pain. The laboratory examination isolated an hypereosinophilia and the liver sonography showed two hypoechogenic nodules. The CT-scan found bilateral lung nodules with ground glass halo. Broncho-alveolar lavage identified an eosinophilic alveolitis. Positive serologic results for toxocariasis and western blot results allowed to conclude to the diagnosis of pulmonary and hepatic toxocariasis.

Conclusion: Although rare, pulmonary toxocariasis should be suspect in any lung eosinophilia, especially if the patient has never traveled.

Keywords: Chest computed tomography; Hypereosinophilia; Hyperéosinophilie; Nodules pulmonaires; Parasitose; Parasitosis; Pulmonary nodules; Tomodensitométrie thoracique; Toxocariasis; Toxocarose; Visceral larva migrans.