A Case of Eosinophilic Pneumonia Caused by Visceral Larva Migrans Due to Ascaris suum

Abstract

A 50-year-old male, living in the rural distinct of Kagoshima Prefecture complained of high fever and fatigue. Chest X-ray showed ground glass opacities in the right lung field. His symptoms and radiographic findings were gradually improved by intravenous or per os administraions of some antibiotics intravenously or per os. Following the chest computed tomography one month later demonstrated ground glass opacities in the right lung field. Examinations of peripheral blood showed increased IgE level but no eosinophila. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from B⁴ showed high proportion of eosinophils. Because of the positive finding for Ascaris suum in the assay of multi dot-ELISA for parasite, he was diagnosed as Ascaris suum infection. The patient was successfully treated with Alvendazol. This is a rare case of Ascaris suum infection causing eosinophilic pneumonia.