A 36-year-old man who often ate raw chicken meat had abnormal chest radiograph findings on a health check-up in July 2009, and visited our department. A chest computed tomographic scan revealed 6 nodular shadows in both lungs, and a hematologic examination revealed
eosinophilia and elevation of
IgE. Because of his history of eating raw chicken meat, antiparasite antibody testing was performed which revealed
antibodies to Toxocara canis, leading to the diagnosis of pulmonary
toxocariasis due to Toxocara canis. Although treatment with
albendazole was performed, it was discontinued because of hepatic impairment. However, hematological examination showed that his eosinophil count and
IgE increased again, and chest image findings were exacerbated. Therefore,
ivermectin, reported as effective in cases outside Japan, was administered, resulting in decreased peripheral eosinophils, normalized
IgE level, and disappearance of the shadows on chest images. In Japan, no cases of pulmonary
toxocariasis responding well to
ivermectin have previously been reported. Administration of
ivermectin should be considered when albendazol cannot be used due to hepatic impairment or related problems.