Larval migration to the lungs in Ascariasis causes which symptoms?

Larval migration to the lungs in Ascariasis causes which symptoms?

• A. Headache and photophobia.
• B. Nausea and vomiting.
• C. Rash and urticaria.
• D. Cough, fever, and wheezing due to larval migration to the lungs.

Answer: (D)

During ascariasis, the larvae migrate through the lungs after leaving the intestinal tract. As they pass through the lung tissue, they provoke a localized eosinophilic inflammatory response that leads to a transient pneumonitis. This causes respiratory symptoms—cough, wheezing, and often low-grade fever. This phase is classically described as Loeffler syndrome, with transient pulmonary infiltrates and eosinophilia, and it occurs before the larvae are coughed up and mature in the gut. Headache and photophobia would point to central nervous system issues rather than pulmonary migration. Nausea and vomiting reflect gastrointestinal involvement but are not the hallmark of the lung migratory phase. Rash and urticaria can be allergic reactions but are not the characteristic presentation of larvae migrating to the lungs. The respiratory symptoms described—cough, fever, and wheezing—best reflect the pulmonary migratory stage.

During ascariasis, the larvae migrate through the lungs after leaving the intestinal tract. As they pass through the lung tissue, they provoke a localized eosinophilic inflammatory response that leads to a transient pneumonitis. This causes respiratory symptoms—cough, wheezing, and often low-grade fever. This phase is classically described as Loeffler syndrome, with transient pulmonary infiltrates and eosinophilia, and it occurs before the larvae are coughed up and mature in the gut.

Headache and photophobia would point to central nervous system issues rather than pulmonary migration. Nausea and vomiting reflect gastrointestinal involvement but are not the hallmark of the lung migratory phase. Rash and urticaria can be allergic reactions but are not the characteristic presentation of larvae migrating to the lungs. The respiratory symptoms described—cough, fever, and wheezing—best reflect the pulmonary migratory stage.