[Loa loa infection of the eye -- a case series].
BACKGROUND
With increasing migration tropical diseases such as Loa loa infections are becoming more frequent in Europe. While the ocular diagnosis is usually straight forward, systemic work-up and treatment requires an interdisciplinary approach. We review the diagnostic and therapeutic work-up of ocular Loa loa infections based on a series of 4 cases that presented between 1998 and 2004.


METHODS
The first symptoms in all cases were ocular irritations occurring 2 months to 8 years after a trip to West Africa. One case presented with a swollen upper eyelid without a visible worm. In three patients microfilariae were detected in the blood.


RESULTS
In two cases visible subconjunctival worms could be removed under the slit lamp. Three cases required systemic treatment as inpatients while one case could be observed without systemic treatment. All 4 cases had a favourable outcome with complete eradication of the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical removal of adult Loa loa worms from the subconjunctival space only improves the ocular symptoms. An interdisciplinary approach (ophthalmology, infectious disease and parasitology) for a systemic work-up and treatment is usually required.
Stemmle
J
J
Augenklinik, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Schweiz. jonas@stemmle.com
Markwalder
K A
KA
Zinkernagel
A S
AS
Wirth
M G
MG
Grimm
F
F
Hirsch-Hoffmann
S
S
Thiel
M A
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D002163:Cameroon; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000469:parasitology / Q000601:surgery; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008117:Loa; D008118:Loiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D014195:Travel
D015766:Albendazole