Cutaneous Larva Migrans

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Background

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is the most common tropically acquired dermatosis whose earliest description dates back more than 100 years. Cutaneous larva migrans manifests as an erythematous, serpiginous, pruritic, cutaneous eruption caused by accidental percutaneous penetration and subsequent migration of larvae of various nematode parasites. Cutaneous larva migrans is most commonly found in tropical and subtropical geographic areas and the southwestern United States. It has become an endemic in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. However, the ease and the increasing incidence of foreign travel by the world's population have no longer confined cutaneous larva migrans to these areas.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Also see the Medscape Drugs & Diseases article Pediatric Cutaneous Larva Migrans.

Pathophysiology

In cutaneous larva migrans (CLM), the life cycle of the parasites begins when eggs are passed from animal feces into warm, moist, sandy soil, where the larvae hatch. They initially feed on soil bacteria and molt twice before the infective third stage. By using their proteases, larvae penetrate through follicles, fissures, or intact skin of the new host. After penetrating the stratum corneum, the larvae shed their natural cuticle. Usually, they begin migration within a few days.

In their natural animal hosts, the larvae of cutaneous larva migrans are able to penetrate into the dermis and are transported via the lymphatic and venous systems to the lungs. They break through into the alveoli and migrate to the trachea, where they are swallowed. In the intestine they mature sexually, and the cycle begins again as their eggs are excreted.

Humans are accidental hosts, and the larvae lack the collagenase needed to penetrate the basement membrane and invade the dermis. Therefore, cutaneous larva migrans remains limited to the skin when humans are infected.

The pruritic symptoms occur secondary to an immune response to both the larvae and their products.[8]

Etiology

Common etiologies and where the parasites of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) are most commonly found include the following:

Rare etiologies include the following:

Epidemiology

Frequency

Cutaneous larva migrans is rated second to pinworm among helminth infections in developed countries. Prevalence is high in regions of warm climate, where individuals may be more inclined to walk barefoot (eg, beaches, lower socioeconomic communities) and come in contact with animal feces.[12, 13]

Race

No specific racial predilection exists because cutaneous larva migrans depends on exposure.

Sex

Cutaneous larva migrans demonstrates no specific sexual predilection because cutaneous larva migrans depends on exposure.

Age

Cutaneous larva migrans can affect persons of all ages because it depends on exposure, but it tends to be seen in children more commonly than in adults.

Prognosis

The prognosis for cutaneous larva migrans is excellent. Cutaneous larva migrans is a self-limiting disease. Humans are accidental, dead-end hosts, with the larva dying and the lesions resolving within 4-8 weeks, as long as 1 year in rare cases.

Patient Education

Persons who travel to tropical regions and pet owners should be aware of this condition. For patient education resources, see the patient education article Foreign Travel.

History

History findings may be as follows:

Predispositions to contracting cutaneous larva migrans include the following:

Physical Examination

Cutaneous signs of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) include the following:

Systemic signs are rarely seen but may include, peripheral eosinophilia (Loeffler syndrome),[15] migratory pulmonary infiltrates, and increased immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels.

Lesions are typically distributed on the distal lower extremities, including the dorsa of the feet and the interdigital spaces of the toes, but can also occur in the anogenital region, the buttocks, the hands, and the knees. Scalp lesions have been reported.[16]

See the images below.



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A patient who was sunbathing nude on a beach in Martinique presented with classic erythematous, serpiginous tracts on the left heel.



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Cutaneous larva migrans on the right thumb.



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Cutaneous larva migrans on the left thigh.

Complications

A secondary bacterial infection in patients with cutaneous larva migrans (CLM), usually with Streptococcus pyogenes, may lead to cellulitis.

Allergic reactions may occur.

On rare occasions, Loeffler syndrome has been reported.[15]

Laboratory Studies

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is diagnosed by history and clinical examination. Some patients demonstrate peripheral eosinophilia on a CBC count and increased immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels on total serum immunoglobulin determinations.

Procedures

A skin biopsy is not necessary for the diagnosis of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM).  A biopsy must be taken 1-2 cm ahead of the leading edge of a tract or else the larva may be missed.

 

Imaging Studies

Dermoscopy is an additional tool used to help confirm diagnosis and possibly direct local treatment options. With the use of polarized dermoscopy, one would see an oval structure with a yellow periphery and brown center, representing the body of the larvae.[17]

Histologic Findings

A biopsy may confirm the presence of tunneling larvae just above the dermoepidermal junction or in the superficial epidermis. The surrounding epidermis reveals spongiosis, intraepidermal vesiculation, with a mixed inflammatory infiltrate and eosinophils.

Medical Care

Even though cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is self-limited, the intense pruritus and risk for infection mandate treatment. Prevention is key and involves avoidance of direct skin contact with fecally contaminated soil.

Oral albendazole, oral ivermectin, or topical ivermectin are the usual treatment choices,[18, 19, 20] along with perhaps thiabendazole (not available in the United States).[21]

In the United States, albendazole at 400 mg/day for 3 days is recommended. Alternatively, ivermectin can be administered as a 12-mg dose and repeated the next day. Some also recommend trying topical treatment with topical ivermectin or topical thiabendazole compounded in a 10% suspension or 15% cream or topical metronidazole cream, all used four times daily. If effective, the topical therapies are expected to resolve the condition in 1 week.

Outside the United States, thiabendazole has been recommended for the treatment of cutaneous larva migrans, as has oral albendazole or ivermectin.[21] Thiabendazole is not available in the United States.

Consultations

Consultation with a dermatologist may be warranted.

Medication Summary

Oral albendazole, oral ivermectin, or topical ivermectin are the usual treatment choices,[18, 19, 20] along with perhaps thiabendazole (not available in the United States).[21]

Ivermectin (Stromectol)

Clinical Context:  Ivermectin is a semisynthetic macrocyclic lactone antiparasitic agent with broad-spectrum action against nematodes by producing flaccid paralysis through binding of the glutamate-gated chloride ion channels. It may become the drug of choice because of safety, low toxicity, and single dosing, which enhance patient compliance.

Albendazole (Albenza)

Clinical Context:  Albendazole is a broad-spectrum benzimidazole carbamate anthelmintic that acts by interfering with glucose uptake and disrupting microtubule aggregation. Use it as an alternative to thiabendazole.

Class Summary

Parasite biochemical pathways are sufficiently different from the human host to allow selective interference by chemotherapeutic agents in relatively small doses.

What is cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What is the pathophysiology of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What causes cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What is the prevalence of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What is the racial predilection of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What is the sexual predilection of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?Which age groups have the highest prevalence of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What is the prognosis of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What is included in patient education about cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?Which clinical history findings are characteristic of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?Which factors increase the risk for cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?Which cutaneous findings are characteristic of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What are the systemic signs and symptoms of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What is the typical distribution of lesions in cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What are the possible complications of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What are the differential diagnoses for Cutaneous Larva Migrans?What is the role of lab tests in the diagnosis of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What is the role of skin biopsy in the diagnosis of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?What is the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?Which histologic findings are characteristic of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?How is cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) treated?Which specialist consultations are beneficial to patients with cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?Which medications are used in the treatment of cutaneous larva migrans (CLM)?Which medications in the drug class Anthelmintics are used in the treatment of Cutaneous Larva Migrans?

Author

David T Robles, MD, PhD, FAAD, Director, Dermatology Division, Chaparral Medical Group

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Jacquiline Habashy, DO, MSc, Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editors

David F Butler, MD, Former Section Chief of Dermatology, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System; Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Founding Chair, Department of Dermatology, Scott and White Clinic

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD, Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, Vice-Chairman, Residency Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Disclosure: Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Elsevier; WebMD.

Additional Contributors

Daniel Mark Siegel, MD, MS, Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lydia A Juzych, MD, Senior Staff, Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Health Sciences Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Margaret C Douglass, MD, Program Director, Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  2. Herbener D, Borak J. Cutaneous larva migrans in northern climates. Am J Emerg Med. 1988 Sep. 6(5):462-4. [View Abstract]
  3. Jones WB 2nd. Cutaneous larva migrans. South Med J. 1993 Nov. 86(11):1311-3. [View Abstract]
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  6. González F CG, Galilea O NM, Pizarro C K. [Autochthonous cutaneous larva migrans in Chile. A case report]. Rev Chil Pediatr. 2015 Oct 8. [View Abstract]
  7. Vega-Lopez F, Hay RJ. Parasitic worms and Protozoa. Burns T, Breathnach S, Cox N, Griffiths C, eds. Rook's Textbook of Dermatology. 8th ed. United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publisher (P) Ltd; 2010. 37.16–37.17.
  8. Veraldi S, Persico MC, Francia C, Schianchi R. Chronic hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans. Int J Infect Dis. 2013 Apr. 17 (4):e277-9. [View Abstract]
  9. Bowman DD, Montgomery SP, Zajac AM, Eberhard ML, Kazacos KR. Hookworms of dogs and cats as agents of cutaneous larva migrans. Trends Parasitol. 2010 Apr. 26(4):162-7. [View Abstract]
  10. Schuster A, Lesshafft H, Talhari S, Guedes de Oliveira S, Ignatius R, Feldmeier H. Life quality impairment caused by hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans in resource-poor communities in Manaus, Brazil. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2011 Nov. 5(11):e1355. [View Abstract]
  11. Jones CC, Rosen T, Greenberg C. Cutaneous larva migrans due to Pelodera strongyloides. Cutis. 1991 Aug. 48(2):123-6. [View Abstract]
  12. Reichert F, Pilger D, Schuster A, Lesshafft H, Guedes de Oliveira S, Ignatius R, et al. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hookworm-Related Cutaneous Larva Migrans (HrCLM) in a Resource-Poor Community in Manaus, Brazil. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2016 Mar. 10 (3):e0004514. [View Abstract]
  13. Sunderkötter C, von Stebut E, Schöfer H, Mempel M, Reinel D, Wolf G, et al. S1 guideline diagnosis and therapy of cutaneous larva migrans (creeping disease). J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2014 Jan. 12 (1):86-91. [View Abstract]
  14. Archer M. Late presentation of cutaneous larva migrans: a case report. Cases J. 2009 Aug 12. 2:7553. [View Abstract]
  15. Podder I, Chandra S, Gharami RC. Loeffler's Syndrome Following Cutaneous Larva Migrans: An Uncommon Sequel. Indian J Dermatol. 2016 Mar-Apr. 61 (2):190-2. [View Abstract]
  16. Meotti CD, Plates G, Nogueira LL, Silva RA, Paolini KS, Nunes EM, et al. Cutaneous larva migrans on the scalp: atypical presentation of a common disease. An Bras Dermatol. 2014 Mar-Apr. 89 (2):332-3. [View Abstract]
  17. Aljasser MI, Lui H, Zeng H, Zhou Y. Dermoscopy and near-infrared fluorescence imaging of cutaneous larva migrans. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2013 Dec. 29 (6):337-8. [View Abstract]
  18. Veraldi S, Angileri L, Parducci BA, Nazzaro G. Treatment of hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans with topical ivermectin. J Dermatolog Treat. 2017 May. 28 (3):263. [View Abstract]
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A patient who was sunbathing nude on a beach in Martinique presented with classic erythematous, serpiginous tracts on the left heel.

Cutaneous larva migrans on the right thumb.

Cutaneous larva migrans on the left thigh.

A patient who was sunbathing nude on a beach in Martinique presented with classic erythematous, serpiginous tracts on the left heel.

Cutaneous larva migrans on the right thumb.

Cutaneous larva migrans on the left thigh.