Cutaneous larvae Migrans is most frequently caused by:
## **Core Concept**
Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a skin condition caused by the migration of larvae of certain nematodes, particularly hookworms, through the skin. This condition is characterized by an itchy, serpiginous, or linear skin lesion. The most common causative agent is a type of hookworm.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, **Ancylostoma braziliense**, is a species of hookworm that is commonly found in cats and dogs. When the larvae of this parasite penetrate the skin, usually through a contaminated area, they cause CLM. This condition is more frequently associated with **Ancylostoma braziliense** than with other hookworm species, such as **Ancylostoma caninum**, because it is more adapted to humans and can more readily cause skin lesions.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** *Toxocara* species can cause visceral larva migrans and ocular larva migrans but are less commonly associated with cutaneous larva migrans.
- **Option B:** *Strongyloides stercoralis* causes strongyloidiasis, which can have a cutaneous phase but typically presents with a different clinical picture, including larva currens, which is distinct from CLM.
- **Option D:** *Uncinaria stenocephala*, or the dog hookworm, can also cause CLM but is less frequently implicated compared to **Ancylostoma braziliense**.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key clinical pearl is that cutaneous larva migrans is often associated with a history of walking barefoot or exposure to contaminated soil where hookworm larvae are present. The condition is typically treated with topical or oral antiparasitic medications, such as albendazole or ivermectin.
## **Correct Answer:** C. Ancylostoma braziliense