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
Corina Marinescu
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