Loa loa –Eye worm

 v Habitat

·      Adults- In connective tissues under skin and in the subconjuctival tissues of the eye, or in thin skinned areas.

·      Mf -In peripheral blood of man during day time.

·      Infective larvae- In the gut, mouth parts, and muscles of Tabanide fly of the genu-Chrysops (Horse flies).

v Morphology: 

·      Adults -cylindrical & transparent

·      Mf - has several kinks and curves

Ø  A sheath which stains best with heamatoxylin.

Ø  Body nuclei – are not distinct and appear denser than W. Bancrofti

Ø  Nuclei extend to the end of the tail which is rounded.

v Life cycle and transmission

·        Horse flies (Tabanidea) in the genus Chrysops is the vector

·        Day feeding and forest –dwelling

·        Also called the “dear fly” or mango fly

·        Adult worms continuously migrate through tissues at a rate of about 1 cm per minutes

·        Found in back, chest, axilla, groin, penis, scalp and eyes

v Pathology and clinical features

·        Swelling known as calabar swelling in the arm.

·        Adult also migrate to sub – conjunctiva tissues-----Cause inflammation & irritation but not

v Lab. Diagnosis AND Prevention & contro l=== similar to other filarial worms.

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