Ocular loiasis in a pediatric patient: description of a case without microfilaremia.

BACKGROUND: Loiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the filarial nematode Loa loa. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes loiasis in a 6-year-old child presented to a public hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon, with an immobile worm located beneath the conjunctiva of the left eye. The calibrated thick blood smear for microfilariae was negative and there are no other typical signs of the disease, although the patient has not taken any antifilarial medication. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of continued vigilance for loiasis, raising awareness of the disease, and promoting early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, especially in vulnerable populations.