Atypical imported loiasis characterised by recurrent anaemia in a patient from China

Luo, Xiaocheng; Li, Sha; Li, Qian; Zhang, Peiyi; Tao, Zhi‐Yong; Shi, Yong; Huang, XiaoDong; Fang, Fenghua; Shao, Honghua; Luo, Xiaolu

doi:10.1016/s1473-3099(21)00584-3

Cited by 2 publications

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“…Microfilariae and moderate anemia were found to have a tangible association. An illustrative case from China depicts a male patient with notable anemia and Loa microfilariae, 23 emphasizing the relationship. Microfilariae may cause anemia by competing with host cells for essential nutrients, according to research from Cameroon and Tanzania.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microfilariae Prevalence and its Association with Anemia Among First-time Blood Donors in Lambaréné, Gabon

Parkouda,

Saidou,

Bisseye

2024

Balkan Med J

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Background: Anemia remains a significant public health concern in Gabon, particularly among children, adolescents, and females. Gabon is also home to two major species of filarial worms, Loa and Mansonella spp., which cause microfilaremia. The epidemiological nexus between hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and microfilaremia in Gabonese first-time blood donors remains unknown. Aims: To understand better the epidemiological relationship between anemia and microfilaremia to improve donor selection and management protocols. Study Design: A retrospective cohort study. Methods: This study was conducted among first-time blood donors in Lambaréné between March 2018 and October 2019. Participants aged 16-65 years old and weighing a minimum of 50 kg were enrolled using standard donor selection criteria. An automatic hematological analyzer was used to quantify Hb concentrations, and microscopy techniques were used to detect the presence of microfilariae. Results: Microfilariae were found in 4.8% (35/723) of the 723 first-time blood donors from Lambaréné. Anemia was classified as mild in 35.5% (257/723) and moderate in 1% (7/723). No significant associations were found between the distribution of microfilariae and variables such as age, sex, socioprofessional classification, marital status, or residence. Blood group O donors had a higher prevalence of microfilariae (6%) than non-O donors (2.7%). However, the observed difference was not statistically significant (AOR =2.3, p = 0.052). Furthermore, microfilariae were associated with increased moderate anemia (3.7% vs. 29%, AOR =15.6, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Our findings highlight microfilaremia as a possible etiological cause of anemia among Gabonese blood donors, emphasizing the need for further research and a potential review of donor management strategies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microfilariae Prevalence and its Association with Anemia Among First-time Blood Donors in Lambaréné, Gabon

Parkouda,

Saidou,

Bisseye

2024

Balkan Med J

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Clinical and epidemiological features of imported loiasis in Beijing: a report from patients returned from Africa

Li,

Huang,

et al. 2024

BMC Infect Dis

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Background Loiasis is one of the significant filarial diseases for people living in West and Central Africa with wide endemic area but is not seen in China. As economy booms and international traveling increase, China faces more and more imported parasitic diseases that are not endemic locally. Loiasis is one of the parasitic diseases that enter China by travelers infected in Africa. The better understanding of the clinical and laboratory features of loa loa infection will facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of loiasis in China. Methods The study targeted travelers who were infected with L. loa in endemic Africa regions and returned to Beijing between 2014 and 2023. Epidemiological, clinical, and biological data as well as treatment of these patients were collected. Results Total 21 cases were identified as L. loa infection based on their typical clinical manifestations and parasite finding. All cases had a history of travel to Africa for more than 6 months, most of them are the construction workers dispatched to West Africa with outdoor activities. Calabar swelling (n = 19; 90.5%) and pruritus (n = 11; 52.4%) were among the most common clinical symptoms followed by muscle pain (n = 7; 33.3%) and skin rash (n = 2; 9.5%). The adult worms were observed in the eyelid or subconjunctiva (n = 2; 9.5%) and subcutaneous tissues (n = 2; 9.5%). Although all patients presented with a high eosinophil count (> 0.52 × 109/L), only two cases displayed microfilariae in fresh venous blood and positive for filarial antigen. A cut section of adult worm was observed through biopsy on a skin nodule surrounded by lymphocytes, plasma cells and eosinophils. All subjects were positive in PCR targeting L. loa ITS-1. The constructed phylogenetic tree based on the amplified ITS-1 sequences identified their genetical relation to the L. Loa from Africa. All patients treated with albendazole and diethylcarbamazine were recovered without relapse. Conclusion This study provides useful information and guideline for physicians and researchers in non-endemic countries to diagnose and treat loiasis and L. loa infections acquired from endemic regions.

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Atypical imported loiasis characterised by recurrent anaemia in a patient from China

Cited by 2 publications

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Microfilariae Prevalence and its Association with Anemia Among First-time Blood Donors in Lambaréné, Gabon

Microfilariae Prevalence and its Association with Anemia Among First-time Blood Donors in Lambaréné, Gabon

Clinical and epidemiological features of imported loiasis in Beijing: a report from patients returned from Africa

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