Toxocara cati (Cat roundworm)

This cosmopolitan nematode parasitises the small intestines of cats. Cats, as well as humans, are infected by ingestion of mature eggs or larvae in paratenic hosts (hosts in which a parasite survives without development). Larvae in maternal milk can also cause infection in kittens.
Human infection, especially in a child, involves larva migrans, as in T. canis (the dog roundworm) infection.

Caution when playing in the sand!

The eggs of Toxocara canis and T. cati are sometimes found in sandboxes in parks, where dogs and cats tend to defecate. Washing hands and gargling after playing in the sand is effective to prevent infection.