Mishal Shanabout 2 years ago

A Worm in the Eye! Loa loa

Loa loa is a nematode which can be seen crawling along the human's conjunctiva. It is particularly common in the central and western Africa. The worm is transmitted by bite of deer fly (mango fly) which deposits larvae on the skin. The larvae develop into mature adults in the body and release microfilariae into the bloodstream. From the blood, they are carried into the deer fly as it bites an infected human. The microfilariae further develop into infective larvae within the fly and hence, the cycle goes on. In humans, the drug called Diethylcarbamazine is used to eliminate the disease. However, those in the eye may need surgical removal.