ACUTE LIFE-THREATENING TOXOCARAL TAMPONADE

An unusual case of life-threatening visceral larva migrans (toxocarias is) is reported herein. The patient was admitted with acute dyspnea an d bilateral pleural effusion; rapidly pericardial tamponade developed. Blood and body fluid eosinophilia were elevated. Extensive investigat ions revealed no malignant process or vasculitis, but Toxocara infecti on was confirmed by rising specific antibody titers. The high seroprev alence of Toxocara antibodies, particularly in children, suggests that a diagnosis of visceral larva migrans should be considered before a d iagnosis of systemic hypereosinophilic syndrome even when clinical pre sentation is unusual. Prophylaxis against this widespread polymorphic zoonotic infection is desirable in view of the potentially dramatic co nsequences of infestation.