1. Imported loiasis in France: a retrospective analysis of 167 cases with comparison between sub-Saharan and non sub-Saharan African patients
- Author
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Anne Loarec, Eric Caumes, Isabelle Poilane, N. Godineau, Patrice Bourée, Jean Dupouy Camet, Johann Cailhol, Sophie Matheron, Olivier Bouchaud, Hôpital Avicenne [AP-HP], Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP), Services de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales [CHU Bichat], AP-HP - Hôpital Bichat - Claude Bernard [Paris], Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP)-Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP), Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7 (UPD7), Université Paris Descartes - Paris 5 (UPD5), AP-HP Hôpital Bicêtre (Le Kremlin-Bicêtre), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11), Centre Hospitalier de Saint-Denis [Ile-de-France], Hôpital Jean Verdier [AP-HP], Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales [CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière], CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière [AP-HP], Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (AP-HP)-Sorbonne Université (SU), Sorbonne Université (SU), Hôpital avicenne, Hôpital Avicenne-Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (APHP)-Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Hôpital Jean Verdier [Bondy], Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (APHP), and Assistance publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) (APHP)-CHU Pitié-Salpêtrière [APHP]
- Subjects
Male ,Pediatrics ,Serology ,Loa ,0302 clinical medicine ,Medical microbiology ,Ivermectin ,Africa, Northern ,Communicable Diseases, Imported ,[SDV.MHEP.MI]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Human health and pathology/Infectious diseases ,West and Central Africa ,Prevalence ,Medicine ,Eosinophilia ,Travel medicine ,Diethylcarbamazine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Child ,Middle Aged ,3. Good health ,Treatment Outcome ,Infectious Diseases ,Child, Preschool ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,Microfilaremia ,Traveller ,Research Article ,medicine.drug ,Adult ,Paris ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,030231 tropical medicine ,Black People ,lcsh:Infectious and parasitic diseases ,Young Adult ,03 medical and health sciences ,Loiasis ,Tropical Medicine ,parasitic diseases ,Animals ,Humans ,lcsh:RC109-216 ,Adverse effect ,Retrospective Studies ,business.industry ,Infant, Newborn ,Infant ,Tropical medicine ,[SDV.SPEE]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Santé publique et épidémiologie ,business - Abstract
Background Imported loiasis is a rare cause of consultation at the return of stay in central Africa, which often poses difficult diagnostic and therapeutic questions to practitioners especially those who are unaccustomed to tropical medicine. These difficulties can lead to risks for the patients especially if inappropriate treatment is given. Large series of imported loiasis are scarce. Methods We retrospectively studied the data including outcome in patients diagnosed with imported loiasis between 1993 and 2013 in the Paris area on the basis of a parasitological diagnosis (microfilaremia > 1/ml and/or serologic tests). We compared sub-Saharan and non sub-Saharan African patients. Results Of the 177 identified cases, 167 could be analysed. Sex ratio was 1, mean age 41 years and 83% were sub-Saharan Africans. Cameroon was the main country of exposure (62%). Incubation time may be long (up to 18 months). Of the 167 cases, 57% presented with characteristic symptoms (Calabar swellings, creeping dermatitis, eyeworm) whereas 43% were diagnosed fortuitously. Microfilaremia was evidenced in 105 patients (63%), and specific antibodies in 53%. Compared to sub-Saharan Africans, other patients were presenting less frequently with eyeworm migration and microfilaremia whereas they had higher eosinophilia and positive serology. Prevalence of Calabar swellings was not significantly different between the two groups. Cure rates were 52% with ivermectin alone, and 77% with ivermectin followed by diethylcarbamazine. No severe adverse event was reported. Conclusions Presentation of imported loiasis varies according to ethnicity. A systematic screening should be recommended in patients with potential exposure in endemic country. Treatment with ivermectin followed by diethylcarbamazine could be a valuable option.
- Published
- 2020