Confrontation with a live subretinal parasite.

BACKGROUND: Parasitic infestation of the eyes are a major cause of ocular diseases across the globe. Filarial and filarial-like nematodes top the list of the nematodes that affect the eye. CASE: A rare case of live sub retinal worm is reported in a 25 years old apparently healthy young male. The case presented with unilateral loss of vision and floaters in the affected eye. Upon examination a live subfoveal worm was identified with continuous wriggling movements and diffuse retinal edema. The worm was removed surgically and sent for parasitological examination. OBSERVATION: The worm was identified microscopically as Loa Loa. However detailed histopathological examination could not be incorporated. The patient's vision improved to 6/12 (0.30 Log MAR) from the initial presentation of 3/60 (1.30 Log MAR) after three months follow-up. CONCLUSION: The rare sub retinal live worm presents a challenge in management. The management depends upon the location and viability of the parasite. Surgical management is aimed at worm removal and vision preservation.

[Pulmonary involvement with a favorable course during Loa loa filariasis]. / Atteinte pulmonaire d'évolution favorable au cours d'une filariose de type Loa loa.

We report a case of pulmonary infiltrate in filariasis due to Loa loa in a 52 years old patient, living in Cameroon. Antifilarial treatment with ivermectin then diethylcarbamazine led to a rapid resoluting of the pulmonary abnormalities. It is the fifth case of lung disease during filariasis Loa loa.

Exotic pathology of the hand and foot. A pictorial review.

In this article, the imaging findings of the most frequently encountered import pathology of the hand and foot are reviewed, including leprosy, loiasis, snake bites or penetration of spines of sea urchins in the hand and foot. Our objective is to familiarize the radiologist of the Western countries with these diseases, which are still prevalent in developing areas. Due to the rising traveling to foreign countries and continuous immigration, it is important that these disorders be considered in the differential diagnosis in a specific population of asylum-seekers, economic refugees and any other group of persons traveling around the globe. Imaging findings on conventional radiography will be emphasized.

Calcifications in the breast in Filaria loa infection.

A 40-year-old patient underwent mammography for evaluation of a mass. Atypical calcifications were observed in the opposite breast. Two types of calcification were observed: one type was spiral-shaped and the other type rod-shaped. These calcifications were caused by Filaria loa. Parasitic calcifications in the breast are uncommon.

[Parasitic calcifications: elements for diagnostic (author's transl)]. / Diagnostic des calcifications parasitaires (à l'exclusion des calcifications fongiques et des protozoaires)

Among the radiologic calcifications, those of parasitic etiology are rather commonly found. They are heterotopic dystrophic calcifications, their late apparition in the evolution of the parasitic disease is not subordinate to any metabolic dysfunction. The authors describe the morphologic and the topographic criteria of different parasitic calcifications except the fungic ones and protozoaire. Moreover they state for each parasite some epidemiological, biological and clinical facts which can be helpful for the diagnosis.