Table of Contents

Loa Loa

Loiasis

Loiasis is otherwise known as loa loa disease. 1)

Infection

Infection occurs through the bite of two types of flies: Chrysops silacea and Chrysops dimidiata. The parasites enter the human bloodstream to then begin the process of feeding on the human body. 2)

Larvae

Chrysops silacea and Chrysops dimidiata larvae can move throughout the body, manifesting themselves as a variety of cysts on the body. 3)

Occurence

Loiasis, an infestation of the Loa loa parasite, is found in Central and West Africa, in the rainforest zone. 4)

Calabar swelling

The typical symptom of Loa loa infection is the so-called Calabar swelling. This is a limited, usually, non-painful angioedema, accompanied by itching and erythematous changes. This swelling lasts from a few days to several or even several weeks, resolving spontaneously, but recurrences do occur. Visible to the naked eye, subconjunctival migration of the parasite causes swelling of the eyelid and intense inflammation of the conjunctiva of the affected eye. 5)

Complications

Complications of loiasis can include meningitis and encephalitis, kidney damage with proteinuria and hematuria, and endocardial and myocardial fibrosis. 6)

Surgical intervention

Fighting the loa loa disease requires surgical removal of nematodes from the patient's body. 7)

Maturing

As long as the loa loa matures, left just under the skin, patients complain of itching, burning, and swelling. 8)