AGGLUTINATION STUDIES IN VISCERAL LARVA MIGRANS

Abstract

VISCERAL larva migrans, recently described by Beaver and his associates, presents an origin for a group of the extreme eosinophilias found in children.¹ The actual demonstration of larvae or ova in a liver biopsy appears necessary to make the diagnosis.² Since such a procedure is necessarily limited, an alternative method of diagnosis would be advisable. The following case is presented to show a probable relation between such an eosinophilic condition and lung infiltrations with serological evidence of parasitic infection. REPORT OF CASE K. C., a 28-month-old white boy, was first seen on Sept. 19, 1952, referred from the surgical service for an evaluation prior to surgery on a left indirect inguinal hernia. The routine blood cell count revealed a leucocyte count of 49,200, with 75% eosinophiles in the differential count. This boy was the third of four children. The mother's preportal course was uneventful and delivery was normal.