Cutane larva migrans als onaangenaam souvenir aan Toscane

Cutaneous larva migrans as an unpleasant souvenir of a trip to Tuscany Cutaneous larva migrans is a zoonotic dermatosis caused by larvae of different types of hookworms (1). It is one of the most frequent import dermatoses in or after returning from (sub)tropical regions, but more and more infections are described in Europe (2). Transmission occurs via feces of various mammals with larvae penetrating through the skin during contact. After infection, larvae remain located in the epidermis where they give rise to a pathognomonic clinical image of erythematous inflammatory papules to nodules from which one (or sometimes several) serpiginous tails depart (1). This, together with a history of possible contact with a contaminated soil in an (ever expanding) endemic region, is sufficient to establish a diagnosis. Often, itching is the chief complaint besides the clinical lesions and other systemic symptoms are absent. This condition is self-limiting, with spontaneous regression after 2-8 weeks. However, because of a rapid effect on symptoms, therapy is usually initiated. Various therapies, both topically and systemically, have been described with systemic ivermectin being the treatment of choice in Belgium given its simple dosing schedule and high efficacy.