LOASIS AS A POSSIBLE TRIGGER OF AFRICAN ENDOMYOCARDIAL FIBROSIS - A CASE-REPORT FROM NIGERIA

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 38  (2) , 179-186
Abstract
A Nigerian boy, previously in good helath, presented with a 2-day history of fever and chills. On the 3rd day periorbital swelling, urticarial rash and itching began and was followed on the 6th day by dyspnea and abdominal and leg swellings. There was clinical, radiological and electrocardiographic evidence of dominant right-sided heart failure. Loa-loa was isolated from the blood and eosinophilia was marked. Both were cured by diethylcarbamazine therapy. Heart failure persisted and was fatal 25 1/2 mo. later. Endomyocardial fibrosis, more severe on the right sided chambers but affecting both ventricles, was diagnosed. Evidence is presented from the literature to indicate loasis as the trigger of endomyocardial damage in this patient.

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