Loa loa: Difference between revisions
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Loa loa
(Created page with "==Background== ===Epidemiology=== * Transmitted by ''Chrysops silacea'' and ''Chrysops dimidiata'' flies ==Clinical Presentation== * Often asymptomatic * Most common...") |
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==Management== |
==Management== |
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* Must rule out high-level microfilaremia (>2500 microfilariae/mL) before considering medical treatment, due to the risk of encephalitis |
* Must rule out high-level microfilaremia (>2500 microfilariae/mL) before considering medical treatment, due to the risk of encephalitis |
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Loa loa''}} |
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[[Category:Nematodes]] |
[[Category:Nematodes]] |
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Revision as of 23:18, 7 July 2020
Background
Epidemiology
- Transmitted by Chrysops silacea and Chrysops dimidiata flies
Clinical Presentation
- Often asymptomatic
- Most common symptom is Calabar swellings, a 10- to 20-cm painful, itchy subcutaneous swelling caused by migration of the adult worms
- The lesions are essentially angioedema in response to the worm
- Worms can also migrate to the conjunctiva, where they are visible
- Infection can be complicated by hematuria and proteinuria, as well as as encephalitis, precipitated by treatment during high-level microfilaremia
Management
- Must rule out high-level microfilaremia (>2500 microfilariae/mL) before considering medical treatment, due to the risk of encephalitis
