PURPOSE: We report a case of periocular subcutaneous macrofilariasis as an initial sign of a systemic Loa loa infection. METHODS: Thorough history, eye examination and surgical intervention. Parasitological and serological analysis. RESULTS: A periocular adult Loa loa worm was extracted from the left upper eyelid in an African student living in Germany after presenting to our department with intermittent attacks of painful lid swelling. Four weeks later he presented with Calabar swellings in his arms without serological evidence of microfilaria and was treated with diethylcarbamazine. CONCLUSION: Due to increasing migration of populations to Europe rare manifestations of ocular loiasis are becoming more common. Intermittent painful eyelid swelling in patients who visited or have lived in Africa should always raise the suspicion of systemic loiasis.
PURPOSE: We report a case of periocular subcutaneous macrofilariasis as an initial sign of a systemic Loa loa infection. METHODS: Thorough history, eye examination and surgical intervention. Parasitological and serological analysis. RESULTS: A periocular adult Loa loa worm was extracted from the left upper eyelid in an African student living in Germany after presenting to our department with intermittent attacks of painful lid swelling. Four weeks later he presented with Calabar swellings in his arms without serological evidence of microfilaria and was treated with diethylcarbamazine. CONCLUSION: Due to increasing migration of populations to Europe rare manifestations of ocular loiasis are becoming more common. Intermittent painful eyelid swelling in patients who visited or have lived in Africa should always raise the suspicion of systemic loiasis.
Authors: J Stemmle; K A Markwalder; A S Zinkernagel; M G Wirth; F Grimm; S Hirsch-Hoffmann; M A Thiel Journal: Klin Monbl Augenheilkd Date: 2005-03 Impact factor: 0.700