Cutaneous larva migrans

Cutaneous larva migrans is one of the most common parasitic infestations affecting travelers returning from beach destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Brazil, and Southeast Asia.

Characterized by intensely pruritic serpiginous or linear raised erythematous tracks. Lesions occur on unprotected skin (most commonly involving the feet) that has come into contact with sandy, moist soil contaminated by dog or cat feces containing hookworm eggs.

Diagnosis made on clinical grounds.

Although usually self-limited, treatment with oral anthelmintic therapy speeds up resolution of symptoms and is considered curative.

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a self-limited dermatosis caused by the migration of animal hookworm larvae (most commonly the dog hookworm Ancylostoma caninum and the cat hookworm Ancylostoma braziliense) in the skin. It is characterized by serpiginous or linear raised erythematous tracks that are usually intensely pruritic and occur on unprotected skin (most commonly involving the feet) that has come into contact with sandy, moist soil contaminated by dog or cat feces containing hookworm eggs in areas of the tropics and subtropics.[1]Feldmeier H, Schuster A. Mini review: hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2012 Jun;31(6):915-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21922198?tool=bestpractice.com [2]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Yellow Book 2024: health Information for international travel. Section 5: travel-associated infections & diseases - cutaneous larva migrans. May 2023 [internet publication]. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2024/infections-diseases/cutaneous-larva-migrans