Loa loa
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Parasites
- Giardia lamblia
- Toxoplasma gondii
- Entamoeba histolytica
- Cryptosporidium
- Naegleria fowleri
- Trypanosoma brucei
- Plasmodium Overview
- Plasmodium Disease (Malaria)
- Babesia
- Trypanosoma cruzi
- Leishmania
- Trichomonas vaginalis
- Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm)
- Ascaris lumbricoides (giant roundworm)
- Strongyloides stercoralis (threadworm)
- Ancylostoma and Necator
- Trichinella spiralis
- Trichuris trichiura (whipworm)
- Toxocara canis
- Onchocerca volvulus
- Loa loa
- Wuchereria bancrofti
- Taenia solium
- Diphyllobothrium latum
- Echinococcus granulosus
- Schistosoma
- Clonorchis sinensis
- Sarcoptes scabiei (Scabies)
- Pediculus humanis and Phthirus pubis (Lice)
Summary
Loa loa is a species of roundworm parasite that infects humans via the bite of the deer fly. Subcutaneous migrations of the worm can be visible when it crosses the conjunctiva of the eye, as well as cause subcutaneous swellings under the surface of the skin, formally called Calabar swellings. Infections with loa loa are commonly treated with DEC, or diethylcarbamazine.
Key Points
- Loa Loa
- Characteristics
- Type of nematode (roundworm) parasite
- Transmission
- Via bite of deer fly (Chrysops)
- Presentation: Loiasis
- Transient swelling in skin
- Also known as Calabar swellings
- Worm seen in conjunctiva of eye
- Eosinophilia
- Transient swelling in skin
- Diagnosis
- Find worm in skin, eye, or blood smear
- Treatment
- Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)
- Characteristics