Toxocariasis is a parasitic infection caused by the larvae (immature form of the parasite) of Toxocara species, commonly found in the intestines of dogs and cats. Humans can become infected through ingestion of contaminated soil or undercooked meat containing the parasite's eggs. The infection can lead to two main clinical syndromes: visceral larva migrans (VLM) and ocular larva migrans (OLM), which affect the internal organs and eyes, respectively.