Ocular Loiasis: Still Existent in this Millennium - A Case Report

Martha-Mary Udoh; Ernest I Ezeh; Mmephony Ngaji

Authors

Martha-Mary Udoh Department of Ophthalmology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State.
Ernest I Ezeh Department of Ophthalmology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State.
Mmephony Ngaji Department of Ophthalmology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State.

Abstract

Background: Loiasis is a neglected tropical, vector-borne parasitic disease due to a nematode Loa loa and transmitted to humans by deerfly, genus Chrysops. ^[1,2,3] Loiasis is endemic in the tropical rainforest belts of Central and West Africa including Nigeria. ^[1,2,3,4]
The emergence of loiasis as a disease of public health importance, is not only because of its endemicity but also of its impediment on the control of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis in areas of co-endemicity. ^[1,5] The clinical manifestations of loiasis characteristically include: localized angioedema ound predominantly on the extremities (Calabar swelling), pruritus, and Subconjunctival migration of the adult L. loa worm. The subconjunctival and/ or palpebral migration of the adult L. loa worm and angioedema of the eyelids typifies Ocular loiasis. ^[1,2,3,4,6] Other reported ophthalmic manifestations are anterior chamber and presumed orbital involvement, respectively. ^[7-14] We report a case of a 23-year-old Nigerian female, semi-urban dweller, recently diagnosed of ocular loiasis.

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Author Biography

Ernest I Ezeh, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State.

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State

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