Cutaneous Larva Migrans Refractory to Therapy with Ivermectin: Case Report and Review of Implicated Zoonotic Pathogens, Epidemiology, Anthelmintic Drug Resistance and Therapy
Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is attributed to zoonotic infection with animal hookworm larvae penetrating the human skin, usually the feet and legs. There is, however, a broad range of differential diagnoses, with the implicated hookworm species usually remaining speculative. Single-dose ivermectin...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Bart J. Currie Jessica Hoopes Bonny Cumming |
| author_facet | Bart J. Currie Jessica Hoopes Bonny Cumming |
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| description | Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is attributed to zoonotic infection with animal hookworm larvae penetrating the human skin, usually the feet and legs. There is, however, a broad range of differential diagnoses, with the implicated hookworm species usually remaining speculative. Single-dose ivermectin is the most recommended current therapy, with repeat ivermectin doses sometimes required. With the massive global expansion of macrocytic lactone use in both livestock and companion animals, ivermectin resistance is being increasingly described in both helminths and ectoparasites. A case of CLM involving the foot of a healthy 37-year-old is described, with the failure of two doses of ivermectin 15 mg (240 μg/kg) a week apart. This occurred in the context of a remote work environment in tropical Australia with both companion animals (dogs and cats) and wildlife exposed to antiparasitic agents including ivermectin. A combination regimen of multiple doses of albendazole and ivermectin was curative. Parasites with multidrug resistance being described from animals now include hookworms in dogs which are resistant to pyrantel, benzimidazoles such as mebendazole and ivermectin. For relapsed CLM we now recommend a combination of ivermectin and albendazole therapy. This report supports the critical role for a One Health/Planetary Health approach to surveillance and response for emerging zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance in human and animal pathogens. This requires support for systematic approaches to foster and normalize communications and collaborations between human and animal health professionals, environmental scientists and ecologists and First Nations scientists who are the holders of Indigenous knowledge. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-8bc4e0104e8e4e678e0c5506624beeed2025-08-20T02:21:51ZengMDPI AGTropical Medicine and Infectious Disease2414-63662025-06-0110616310.3390/tropicalmed10060163Cutaneous Larva Migrans Refractory to Therapy with Ivermectin: Case Report and Review of Implicated Zoonotic Pathogens, Epidemiology, Anthelmintic Drug Resistance and TherapyBart J. Currie0Jessica Hoopes1Bonny Cumming2Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0810, AustraliaAnimal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities, Darwin, NT 0820, AustraliaAnimal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities, Darwin, NT 0820, AustraliaCutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is attributed to zoonotic infection with animal hookworm larvae penetrating the human skin, usually the feet and legs. There is, however, a broad range of differential diagnoses, with the implicated hookworm species usually remaining speculative. Single-dose ivermectin is the most recommended current therapy, with repeat ivermectin doses sometimes required. With the massive global expansion of macrocytic lactone use in both livestock and companion animals, ivermectin resistance is being increasingly described in both helminths and ectoparasites. A case of CLM involving the foot of a healthy 37-year-old is described, with the failure of two doses of ivermectin 15 mg (240 μg/kg) a week apart. This occurred in the context of a remote work environment in tropical Australia with both companion animals (dogs and cats) and wildlife exposed to antiparasitic agents including ivermectin. A combination regimen of multiple doses of albendazole and ivermectin was curative. Parasites with multidrug resistance being described from animals now include hookworms in dogs which are resistant to pyrantel, benzimidazoles such as mebendazole and ivermectin. For relapsed CLM we now recommend a combination of ivermectin and albendazole therapy. This report supports the critical role for a One Health/Planetary Health approach to surveillance and response for emerging zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance in human and animal pathogens. This requires support for systematic approaches to foster and normalize communications and collaborations between human and animal health professionals, environmental scientists and ecologists and First Nations scientists who are the holders of Indigenous knowledge.https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/10/6/163cutaneous larva migranszoonosesOne Healthivermectinalbendazolehookworms |
| spellingShingle | Bart J. Currie Jessica Hoopes Bonny Cumming Cutaneous Larva Migrans Refractory to Therapy with Ivermectin: Case Report and Review of Implicated Zoonotic Pathogens, Epidemiology, Anthelmintic Drug Resistance and Therapy Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease cutaneous larva migrans zoonoses One Health ivermectin albendazole hookworms |
| title | Cutaneous Larva Migrans Refractory to Therapy with Ivermectin: Case Report and Review of Implicated Zoonotic Pathogens, Epidemiology, Anthelmintic Drug Resistance and Therapy |
| title_full | Cutaneous Larva Migrans Refractory to Therapy with Ivermectin: Case Report and Review of Implicated Zoonotic Pathogens, Epidemiology, Anthelmintic Drug Resistance and Therapy |
| title_fullStr | Cutaneous Larva Migrans Refractory to Therapy with Ivermectin: Case Report and Review of Implicated Zoonotic Pathogens, Epidemiology, Anthelmintic Drug Resistance and Therapy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cutaneous Larva Migrans Refractory to Therapy with Ivermectin: Case Report and Review of Implicated Zoonotic Pathogens, Epidemiology, Anthelmintic Drug Resistance and Therapy |
| title_short | Cutaneous Larva Migrans Refractory to Therapy with Ivermectin: Case Report and Review of Implicated Zoonotic Pathogens, Epidemiology, Anthelmintic Drug Resistance and Therapy |
| title_sort | cutaneous larva migrans refractory to therapy with ivermectin case report and review of implicated zoonotic pathogens epidemiology anthelmintic drug resistance and therapy |
| topic | cutaneous larva migrans zoonoses One Health ivermectin albendazole hookworms |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/10/6/163 |
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