[Loa loa infection of the eye -- a case series].

BACKGROUND

With increasing migration tropical diseases such as Loa loa infections are becoming more frequent in Europe. While the ocular diagnosis is usually straight forward, systemic work-up and treatment requires an interdisciplinary approach. We review the diagnostic and therapeutic work-up of ocular Loa loa infections based on a series of 4 cases that presented between 1998 and 2004.

HISTORY AND SIGNS: The first symptoms in all cases were ocular irritations occurring 2 months to 8 years after a trip to West Africa. One case presented with a swollen upper eyelid without a visible worm. In three patients microfilariae were detected in the blood.

THERAPY AND OUTCOME: In two cases visible subconjunctival worms could be removed under the slit lamp. Three cases required systemic treatment as inpatients while one case could be observed without systemic treatment. All 4 cases had a favourable outcome with complete eradication of the disease.

CONCLUSION

Surgical removal of adult Loa loa worms from the subconjunctival space only improves the ocular symptoms. An interdisciplinary approach (ophthalmology, infectious disease and parasitology) for a systemic work-up and treatment is usually required.