Cutaneous filariasis Loa Loa: 26 moroccan cases of importation

INTRODUCTION: Loa Loa filariasis or loiasis is a subcutaneous and bloody vectorial parasitosis. It is endemic in forest and swamp areas of west and central Africa.PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 26 moroccan cases of importation. All patients had visited Equatorial Guinea. Transient and migratory edema with pruritus were described in all cases and seen in 5 cases. A history of eyeworm was reported in 13 patients and subcutaneous migration of adult Loa Loa in 19 patients. Other features including fever and asthenia were reported in 11 patients. Microfilaremia was positive in 8 patients and eosinophilia was present in 22 patients. Fifteen patients were treated with diethylcarbamazine alone and 9 patients with ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine. Two patients were treated with ivermectin alone. Relapses were noted in 8 cases. No visceral complications were noted excepting one case of terminal hematury.DISCUSSION: Loiasis is a filarial infection of man that occurs exclusively in central and West Africa. The most common symptoms being pruritus with temporary, localised edema, subcutaneous and subconjonctival eye passage of the adult worm, fever and fatigue. The biologic diagnosis of loaisis is made on peripheral microfilariae, filarial serology and eosinophil count. Travel and visits endemic areas were at the origin of the emergence of this pathology in Morocco. Filarial Loa Loa infection should be treated with diethylcarbamazine and/or ivermectin.