Visceral larva migrans mimicking rheumatic diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To report rheumatologic or rheumatologic-like manifestations of the visceral larva migrans (VLM) syndrome.


METHODS
We carried out a prospective study of patients with VLM seen in a private practice setting in Mexico City between 1990 and 1993.


RESULTS
From a population of 600 patients we identified 6 patients (5 women) with VLM. Three patients complained of arthralgia; in 4 a history of migratory cutaneous lesions was elicited, and in one monoarthritis of the right knee was found. One patient had deep edema that suggested thrombophlebitis of the right arm; the man in our series had right testicular swelling during followup. In 2 cases, panniculitis was documented by biopsy and in one, small vessel vasculitis. Four patients had frequent contact with dogs and one with cats; 4 patients frequently ate raw fish. The diagnosis of VLM was confirmed either by the clinical picture, biopsy, or ELISA:


CONCLUSIONS
The spectrum of rheumatological manifestations in VLM may be wider than previously thought.
Kraus
A
A
Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico.
Valencia
X
X
Cabral
A R
AR
de la Vega
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007816:Larva Migrans, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*