https://web.stanford.

edu/class/humbio103/ParaSites2005/Toxocariasis/history%20of%20disc
overy.htm

HISTORY OF DISCOVERY

Toxocariasis has attracted the attention of healthcare workers relatively recently. The first
case of infestation with ​T. cati​ was reported in ​1824​, however since this parasite occurs
much less frequently in humans (there have only been 24 reported cases of ​T. cati​ infection
since its discovery), attention has mainly been focused on ​T. canis​. ​T. canis​ was identified in
dogs in the ​18th century​ but was not studied until 1 ​ 908​, when G.H.F. Nutall and C.
Strickland examined dogs in Cambridge, England, finding 17 our of 24 infested with the
parasite. The first human cases of ​T. canis​ infection did not occur until ​1950​ (observed in the
liver by Mercer et al and in a retinal granuloma by H.C. Wilder.) In 1952, similar cases were
reported and the connection between Toxocariasis and dogs was established.

G.H.F. Nutall
(pictured left)
worked with C.
Strickland in
1908 to conduct
the first study of
T. canis
prevalence and
distribution

image courtesy
of
GoogleImages

One of the biggest breakthroughs in understanding Toxocariasis was made by J.F.A. Sprent
in ​1958​ when he worked out the ​T. canis​ lifecycle and outlined the mechanism of
transmission. Future studies elucidated many other important features of Toxocariasis,
although attention was mainly focused on the more easily diagnosable Ocular Larva
Migrans.

Over time it was discovered that Visceral Larva Migrans occurs much more frequently.
Studies are still conducted today, with the hope of further understanding the intricacies of
Toxocariasis and potential new treatments to reduce morbidity.