LOA-LOA INFECTION AS A CAUSE OF MIGRATORY ANGIOEDEMA - REPORT OF 3 CASES FROM THE TEXAS-MEDICAL-CENTER

Loa loa is a filarial parasite that is endemic in West and Central Afr ica Expatriates infected with L. loa commonly develop characteristic m igratory angioedema called Calabar swellings. We describe three patien ts who presented with classical Calabar swellings for whom the diagnos is of loiasis was delayed. Unusual features that were present included a leukocytoclastic vasculitis seen on skin biopsy (case 1), a relativ ely short exposure to an area of endemicity (cases 1 and 3), and a nor mal eosinophil count on initial evaluation (cases 2 and 3). We discuss the characteristic clinical manifestations of, pathological findings of, and therapy for loiasis. With the increased frequency of internati onal travel, L. loa infection must be considered in the differential d iagnosis for patients with migratory angioedema, urticarial vasculitis , or eosinophilia.