Onchocerciasis-associated limb swelling in a traveler returning from Cameroon.
Travelers to West Central Africa are at risk for infection with Onchocerca volvulus. We describe the case of an adventurous traveler who became infected with O volvulus after a 10-day stay in rural Cameroon. Two years after his return, he was diagnosed with a 3-month history of limb swelling with pruritus and fixed edema of the right arm. He was successfully treated by a single dose of ivermectin, with an additional treatment with doxycycline. The patient was followed-up during 1 year after therapy without relapse. Such travelers experiencing unusual dermatitis syndromes should prompt evaluation for onchocerciasis.
Ezzedine
Khaled
K
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Center, Hôpital Erasme, Brussels, Belgium.
Malvy
Denis
D
Dhaussy
Ines
I
Steels
Emmanuelle
E
Castelein
Carine
C
De Dobbeler
Gilbert
G
Heenen
Michel
M
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002163:Cameroon; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017181:Onchocerca volvulus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009855:Onchocerciasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014195:Travel; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity
D000871:Anthelmintics; D007559:Ivermectin