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:

CONCLUSION: The spectrum of rheumatological manifestations in VLM may be wider than previously thought.