Cutaneous Larva Migrans: A Case Report Succesfully Treated with Topical Albendazole

CUTANEOUS LARVA MIGRANS: A CASE REPORT SUCCESFULLY TREATED WITH TOPICAL ALBENDAZOLE Mairo Usman Kadaura1,2, Jibril Abubakar1,2, Sadiq Abubakar Baba3, Kellu Bukar Ali3, Sabiu Bala Soja4, Askira Umoru Mohammed5, Abdulkarim Abdullahi6, Musa Abubakar Garbati7 Author’s Affiliation Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, FUHSA, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences. Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology FUHSTHA Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology University of Maiduguri Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, FUHSA Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Maiduguri Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, FUHSA Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, FUHSA INTRODUCTION Cutaneous Larva Migrans (CLM), also known as "creeping eruption", is a neglected zoonotic helminthic infection with significant impact on the lives of millions of individuals living in and around the tropics. Common causative agents include Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma caninum acquired when individuals come in contact walk with soil contaminated by dog or cat faeces. CASE REPORT A 23-year-old female undergraduate student was seen at the outpatient clinic of the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital Azare, with pruritic skin lesions involving her left hand. The lesion is said to be progressing in one direction and is associated with a clear discharge at one end. She reported a history of engaging in a beach party 2 weeks before the eruptions appeared. Physical examination revealed a serpiginous skin lesion on her left wrist extending to the forearm. Based on the clinical characteristics and history of contact with wet sand and living in the tropics, the diagnosis of CLM was made. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME The lesion was treated by local application of a mixture of powdered Albendazole and vaseline over seven days with resolution of lesions. CONCLUSION CLM is a neglected tropical disease and a major cause of morbidity in the tropics. Control measures should be geared towards raising awareness among local communities and healthcare practitioners, and developing treatment guidelines.