[Hypotheses on the dynamic ecology of Loa infections].

In the light of the known data about epidemiological cycles of human and simian loiasis in Africa, and the eventual relationships between these infections, a hypothetical schema is presented, giving a whole view of the dynamic ecology of the Loa systems. This schema involves a primitive simian savannah cycle, from which, the filaria passing from monkey to man, a human savannah cycle, and then the classical human forest cycle are developed. The primitive savannah cycle could also be at the origin of simian forest cycles, but the exchanges between monkeys and man seem very unlikely inside the forest. Between the factors favouring the passage from one cycle to another,. the bush fires could have played are important role. Finally, the main factors of the geographical distribution of human loiasis are discussed.