GONE网络研讨会：卢瓦病——中非一种被严重忽视的疾病

Agenda Welcome remarks and objective of the meeting: Introduction of epidemiology of loiasis in endemic regions: Prof Marielle Bouyou Akotet, Professor of Parasitology, Head of Department, Univ. HealthSciences of Libreville, Gabon Prof Federico Gobbi, Director of the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases andMicrobiology, Ospedale Sacro Cuore Do Calabria, Negrar, Italy Clinical presentation and long-term complications of loiasis in endemic regions: Dr Michel Boussinesq, Research Director, French Research Institute for Development, France Challenges and recent advances in the treatment of loiasis: Prof Michael Ramharter, Head of Division Tropical Medicine, Univ. Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf; Head of Department of Clinical Research, Bernhard Nocht Institute for TropicalMedicine, Hamburg, Germany Implications of Loiasis for Onchocerciasis Elimination: Insights from the Test-and-TreatApproach: Prof Joseph Kamgno, CEO of the Higher Institute for Scientific and Medical Research; Chair ofthe Department of Public Health; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences–Univ. ofYaounde, Cameroon Executive Summary Loiasis, caused by Loa loa, remains one of the most neglected filarial diseases despite affecting over 20million people in remote regions of Central and West Africa. Expert discussions highlighted that its trueburden has long been underestimated: chronicsymptoms such as severe headaches, joint pain, andintense itching contribute substantial disability, while new cohort studies show excess mortality amonginfected individuals. Recent evidence also links high microfilarial densities to kidney disease,cardiovascular complications, and cognitive impairment, confirming loiasis as a serious public healthproblem. The disease also creates a major barrier for onchocerciasis elimination. Individuals with very high Loaloa microfilarial loads are at risk of life-threatening adverse events when treated with ivermectin,forcing some communities to be excluded from mass drug administration. The Test-and-Not-Treat(TaNT) strategy offers a safe operational workaround by using the LoaScope to rapidly quantifymicrofilarial density, but broader management of loiasis remains constrained by major gaps indiagnostics and treatment tools.Current treatments are limited, difficult to administer, and carry risksof severe reactions; safer, short-course curative options are urgently needed. Diagnostic capacity is alsoinsufficient: no widely available rapid point-of-care test exists, and the LoaScope will not becommercially available before late 2026. Attempts to develop alternative rapid tests have not yetsucceeded. Expertsemphasized that loiasis suffers from “multidimensional neglect”—scientific, clinical, andpolitical. Addressing this requires a shift in perspective: recognizing loiasis as a serious disease in itsown right, rather than merely an obstacle to other programs.Priority actions include: advocating forformal recognition as an NTD, investing in new diagnostics and treatments, and strengthening countryengagement and evidence generation to guide integrated control strategies. Welcome remarks and objective of the meeting:Dr Maria Rebollo, WHO Loiasis constitutes an important barrier to onchocerciasis control in co-endemic areas of Central Africa.Caused by the filarial parasite Loa loa and transmitted by Chrysops deerflies, the disease affects millionsofpeople acrossten countriesinCentral and West Africa—particularly in remote and economicallydisadvantaged forest and savannah communities. Although long overshadowed loiasis is a major causeof morbidity. Chronic symptoms such as severe headaches, myalgia, arthralgia, and pruritus contributeto significant disability and economic hardship, and in some settings loiasis is among the most frequentreasons for seeking healthcare. Its disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are comparable to those ofother established neglected tropical diseases. Raising the profile ofLoa loa and addressing its health burden requires strong country engagement andcontinued efforts to generate and share high-quality data. Member States play a central role indetermining whether loiasis should be formally proposed as a neglected tropicaldisease, while WHO’srole is to support evidence gathering and ensure that affected populations have access to appropriatecare and tools. In this context, WHO is working with experts to develop aguideline to address clinicalmanagement of Loa loa in endemic countries in Africa and in returning travellers. In addition“AMapping and Treatment Strategy for Onchocerciasis in Loa co-endemic Settings,” will providetechnical guidance tosafely implement onchocerciasis eliminationinterventions in these complex areas. We are fortunate to have with us today leading experts on Loa loa, who will examine this disease frommultiple perspectives: epidemiology, clinical burden, diagnostic and treatment challenges, and itsimplications for onchocerciasis elimination efforts. The p