A rare case report of Loa loa ocular filariasis.
OBJECTIVE
We report a case of ocular worm treated surgically and confirmed by microbiological identification.


METHODS
A 33-year-old Swiss woman presented to the ophthalmic unit, complaining of pain and foreign body sensation in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination disclosed a subconjunctival amber -colored cord in the conjunctival fornix. Presentation, clinical and histopathologic evaluation, and treatment are described.


RESULTS
At the time of surgery, an alive and still intact worm was extracted through conjunctival incision. Histopathology confirmed the presence of filariasis.


CONCLUSIONS
As the flow of immigrants from endemic areas of Europe increases, ocular manifestation of loiasis is becoming more frequent and ophthalmologists need to be aware of this diagnosis.
Aiello
Francesco
F
Department of Biopathology, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy. francescoaiello@hotmail.com
Palma
Stefano
S
Varesi
Chiara
C
Cerulli
Angelica
A
Valente
Rosanna
R
Aiello
Luigi
L
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008117:Loa / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008118:Loiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery