Loa loa (Eye worm)

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Flashcards

Loa loa (Eye worm)

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Questions

USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE

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A 35-year-old man comes to the physician for evaluation of irritation in the left eye. He returned from a trip to the Ivory Coast 3 months ago. Temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), blood pressure is 115/83 mmHg, and pulse is 79/min. On physical examination, the left eyelid appears swollen. Slit-lamp examination reveals a transparent worm in the conjunctiva of the left eye. Which of the following is the most likely mode of transmission of this worm to the patient?  

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First Aid

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Loa loa p. , 155, 156

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Summary

Loa loa is a filarial tissue nematode or roundworm, transmitted by deer fly, mango fly, or the horsefly. Loa loa worm is known as the eye worm as sometimes it's seen crawling in the patient's conjunctiva. Other symptoms include non-erythematous skin lesions known as calabar swellings, skin irritation, conjunctivitis, joint inflammation.