Creeping eruption. A review of clinical presentation and management of 60 cases presenting to a tropical disease unit.
METHODS
Cutaneous larva migrans is an infection with a larval nematode, most frequently by dog or cat hookworms. It has a characteristic presentation that is easily recognizable. We reviewed the charts of 60 patients with cutaneous larva migrans who presented to the Tropical Disease Unit, Toronto (Ontario) Hospital, during a 6-year period.


RESULTS
Ninety-five percent of the patients were Canadians who had recently returned from the tropics or subtropics, notably the Caribbean. Almost all patients had a linear or serpiginous, very pruritic larval track. Topical thiabendazole was efficacious in 52 (98%) of 53 patients treated. Albendazole cured six (88%) of seven patients treated. Because of adverse effects, oral thiabendazole and liquid nitrogen were not utilized.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that topical thiabendazole and oral albendazole are very effective and safe modalities for the treatment of cutaneous larva migrans.
Davies
H D
HD
Division of Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sakuls
P
P
Keystone
J S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007815:Larva Migrans / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013827:Thiabendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015766:Albendazole; D013827:Thiabendazole