Question

Assertion: Calabar swelling is caused by an eye worm.
Reason: Loa loa is called the eye worm.
A. Both the assertion and the reason are true and the reason is a correct explanation of the assertion
B. Both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion
C. Assertion is true but the reason is false
D. Both the assertion and reason are false

Answer 1

Hint: Loa loa filariasis is an illness caused by the Loa loa nematode worm usually seen in human beings. It is transmitted by the sting of a deer fly or mango fly (Chrysops sp.).

Complete answer:
Humans are the primary source of Loa loa. It is also called the eye worm as it localizes to the conjunctiva of the eye. The disease can cause red itchy swellings below the skin called "Calabar swellings". A variety of fly-biting behaviour studies have identified other small potential sources, such as hippopotamus, wild ruminants (e.g. buffalo), rats, and lizards.

A comparable type of loiasis occurs in monkeys and apes but it is transmitted by Chrysops langi. The human and simian manifestations of the disease do not overlap with each other. As a vector of simian loiasis, a related moth, Chrysops langi, was isolated, but this type hunts within the forest and has not yet been infected with human infection. Filariasis such as loiasis most often consists of asymptomatic microfilaremia. Some patients can develop lymphatic dysfunction that causes lymphedema. The size of the Calabar swelling is about 3-10 centimetres in surface area.

Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Note: The disease may cause wheezing red under the skin. The disease is treated with the medication diethylcarbamazine (DEC), and surgical procedures can be used to extract adult worms from the conjunctiva where appropriate. A survivor of the so-called ignored outbreak, Loiasis.