Loa loa Ecology in Central Africa: Role of the Congo River System

摘要

Loa loa is a parasite that causes tropical eye worm, or Calabar swelling, a disease confined to tropical forests of Africa where it is transmitted by Tabanid flies of the genus Chrysops [1], [2]. Recent disease prevalence maps published by Zouré et al. [3] in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases highlight an unusual geographical distribution in the central African region, which may be related to distinct environmental or topographical features of the region. Using geographical information systems (GIS) and remotely sensed satellite data, we examined the broad geographical and ecological parameters and specific climate variables of L. loa to highlight factors that could affect or influence the distribution of Chrysops vectors, and the potential for transmission, and to explain this unique epidemiological pattern.