Cutaneous larva migrans, welcome to a warmer Europe

Abstract

Background Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is caused by hookworm larvae, and constitutes the most commonly acquired tropical dermatosis.

Cutaneous Larva Migrans – Report of 2 new Cases Locally Acquired in Serbia

“…At this stage, larvae are able to penetrate the intact skin by using their proteases and to infect a new host (1,10). Once inside the mammalian body, filariform larvae start migrating after an incubation period of about a week (11). Depending on the new host, the parasite migration might eventuate in two different ways.…”

“…In the recent years, the diagnosis of CLM in Europe has become more frequent, probably because of much more frequent foreign travel. Furthermore, the striking rise in numbers of locally acquired cases was noticed, most commonly in southern European countries (10,11,13,14). It is likely that global warming and climate changes with an increase in ambient temperature and humidity, which favor the larva development, are responsible for this phenomenon (10,11).…”

Travelers’ tropical skin diseases: Challenges and interventions

“…Over the last decades, reports of CLM in Europe have become more common, probably because of more frequent trips to endemic areas. The most striking fact is the rise of autochthonous cases in southern Europe (Gutiérrez García‐Rodrigo, Tous Romero, & Zarco Olivo, ).…”

Autochthonous and persistent cutaneous larva migrans in an infant successfully treated by topic albendazole ointment

“…Even if Guti errez Garc ıa-Rodrigo et al forecasted an increase in this tropical dermatosis due to global warming, autochthonous CLM is still relatively infrequent in France and infants are even more rarely affected than adults. 2,4 Furthermore, Western physicians do not have sufficient knowledge of this parasitic disease, and this can delay diagnosis and effective treatment. Indeed, misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment affects 22-58% of travellers with CLM.…”