Loa loa is a blood dwelling nematode that is parasitic.
The adult worm wanders through the subcutaneous tissue but is most obvious as it crosses the conjunctiva of the eye hence leading to its common name, the African eye worm. Like all roundworms, Loa loa is sexual so a male and female worm must be present in the same host for a full infection to ensue. Upon reproduction the female worm produces sheathed eggs called microfilariae which circulate in the blood stream.
Well, the answer is YES humans can get one too.
It is transmitted through the repeated bites of deerflies (also known as mango flies or mangrove flies) of the genus Chrysops. The flies that transmit the parasite breed in the high-canopied rain forest of West and Central Africa. In addition to eye worm, the infection is most commonly associated with recurrent episodes of itchy swellings (local angioedema) known as Calabar swellings.
Loiasis - get informed:
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/loiasis/
Watch: A 19 cm long worm removed from human eye
(Only if you're brave...and, take a seat.) ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itMmmxQ2dkw
#loaloa #biodiversity #loiasis #worms #parasites
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Strain_(TV_series)
ReplyDeleteEWWWWW. I've read about the similar human illness called River Blindness but have never been willing to look at video or even pictures, coz blergh.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm super busy watching all the related videos to the one you linked :)
ReplyDeleteThere is a pattern in nature that parasitism is more common in hot or tropical environments. I don't know why this is, but i'm moving to Alaska.
ReplyDeleteHard freezes kill a lot of stuff, Bryce Etheridge, making overwintering more difficult. But there are still a ton of parasites even in arctic conditions.
ReplyDeleteFuturama's Hipnotoad
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqnjCtwtUC4