Baylisascaris procyonis

From IDWiki
Baylisascaris procyonis
  • Nematode found in raccoon feces, known as the raccoon roundworm

Background

Microbiology

Life Cycle

  • Direct life cycle involves raccoons (Procyon lotor)
  • Indirect life cycle can involve other vertebrates, including humans

Epidemiology

  • Eggs can be ingested from soil contaminated by raccoon feces
  • The worm can infect a number of vertebrate animals
  • Present in North America, Europe, Japan, and possibly South America

Clinical Manifestations

Management

  • Ocular larva migrans: laser therapy ± concurrent albendazole
  • Neurological larva migrans: albendazole and praziquantel for a long duration, ± corticosteroids
    • Poor outcomes

Further Reading

  • Update on Baylisascariasis, a Highly Pathogenic Zoonotic Infection. Clin Microbiol Rev/ 2-16;29(2):375-399. doi: 10.1128/CMR.00044-15