SUMMARY Two brothers with visceral larva migrans caused by Trichuris vulpis were diagnosed after they had been investigated for an eosinophilia. Both patients were almost asymptomatic. The diagnosis of visceral larva migrans was based on the results of immunoelectrophoretic studies and no liver biopsy was performed. After administration of thiabendazole, the number of eosinophils and serum total IgE levels gradually decreased, and the patients have remained well.The term visceral larva migrans (VLM) was first introduced by Beaver et al.1 to describe a syndrome in young children characterised by chronic extreme eosinophilia, hepatomegaly, and pulmonary symptoms. Causative parasites most often encountered are Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati.2-3 A hog ascaris, Ascaris suam, may also be an aetiological agent.5 Until now there have been no reports of VLM due to Tricharis vulpis infestation, and two such cases are now reported. Immunological methodsSerum antibodies against helminth antigens were detected by Ouchterlony's method and immunoelectrophoresis, using extracts of various helminths as antigens. The extracts were obtained by repeated freezing and thawing of the parasites, after grinding down in 0-1 % sodium chloride solution. After centrifugation, the supematants were dialysed and lyophilised. These antigens were dissolved in veronal-buffer before use.Details of immunoelectrophoresis have been described.6 Briefly, antigen was first developed by immunoelectrophoresis in agar gel. At the end of the separation, the serum was placed in a trough cut parallel to the path of electrophoretic migration. After incubation at 4°C, the slide was washed with saline containing veronal-buffer for 3 days and stained with amido black 10B. The arcs of precipitate were examined. Case 1. A 5-year-old boy was referred to Hiroshima University Hospital for further evaluation of a pronounced eosinophilia. His family had obtained a 10-month-old dog 4 months before he was admitted to hospital. He had been the product of a normal pregnancy and delivery. He started to have occasional asthmatic attacks at 21 years, but these had stopped by the age of 4. His father is currently in good health but he, too, had suffered from bronchial asthma in childhood.

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