Delayed-Onset Loiasis: A Case of Loa loa Infection Diagnosed Six Years Post-exposure

Halle N Root; Diana Bueno; Nicholas Bathurst; Michael Wieting

doi:10.7759/cureus.86135

Delayed-Onset Loiasis: A Case of Loa loa Infection Diagnosed Six Years Post-exposure

Cureus. 2025 Jun 16;17(6):e86135. doi: 10.7759/cureus.86135. eCollection 2025 Jun.

Authors

Halle N Root¹, Diana Bueno¹, Nicholas Bathurst², Michael Wieting³

Affiliations

¹ Medical School, Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Knoxville, USA.
² Medical School, Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harrogate, USA.
³ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Knoxville, USA.

Abstract

Loiasis, caused by Loa loa, is a filarial infection endemic to Central and West Africa, increasingly recognized in non-endemic regions due to global migration and travel. Diagnosis in non-endemic regions can be challenging due to delayed symptom onset. We report a case of a 40-year-old woman presenting with ocular discomfort and a migrating subcutaneous parasite six years after residing in Gabon. Laboratory evaluation revealed eosinophilia and microfilariae on peripheral blood smear, confirming loiasis. Initial treatment with albendazole led to inflammatory symptoms, highlighting the risk of post-treatment reactions. This case underscores the importance of recognizing loiasis in patients with remote travel history, the need for careful microfilarial burden assessment, and multidisciplinary management to optimize treatment outcomes.

Keywords: albendazole treatment; delayed diagnosis; filarial infection; loa loa; loiasis; ocular parasite; parasitic disease.

Publication types

Case Reports