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Loiasis

Background

Loiasis, caused by the Loa loa parasite, presents with episodic swelling known as Calabar swellings, which may be less visually prominent but still painful in darker-skinned individuals. The adult worms can sometimes be seen migrating across the eye, causing irritation but usually not blindness. Treatment typically includes diethylcarbamazine (DEC) to kill the adult worms, and in some cases, albendazole is used to manage severe infections, with careful monitoring to prevent complications.

References
  • Ramharter M, Butler J, Mombo-Ngoma G, Nordmann T, Davi SD, Manego RZ. The African eye worm: current understanding of the epidemiology, clinical disease, and treatment of loiasis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2024 Mar 1;24(3):e165-78.
  • Boussinesq M. Loiasis. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology. 2006 Dec 1;100(8):715-31.
  • Padgett JJ, Jacobsen KH. Loiasis: African eye worm. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2008 Oct 1;102(10):983-9.
  • Loa Loa. 2016; Available at: https://schisto.com/partners/neglected-tropical-diseases/loa-loa/. Accessed 015, 2024.