[Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection]. 1996

M Gelber, and J Rodrig
Dept. of Medicine A, Laniado Hospital, Natanya.

Strongyloides stercoralis (SS) is an intestinal nematode which infects a large proportion of tropical and subtropical populations. The endemic areas are southeast Asia, South America and sub-Saharan Africa. Infection is acquired when the worms penetrate the skin, pass via the blood stream to the lungs, ascend the respiratory tract, are swallowed and grow into adult worms in the mucosa of the small intestine. The eggs laid by the female release larvae which pass down the lumen and reach the soil via the feces. While passing down the intestinal tract, a few of the rhabditiform larvae may be transformed into infective filariform larvae which can penetrate the distal intestinal and anal mucosa, returning to the blood stream. This "autoinfection" cycle is unique to SS, and explains why the infection can be perpetuated without further exposure to exogenous, infective larvae and can persist decades after departure from endemic areas. A substantial proportion of those affected are asymptomatic, but overwhelming infection may occur in immunosuppressed patients. This "hyperinfection" state is characterized by severe gastrointestinal and respiratory tract involvement, along with skin rash, Gram-negative bacteremia and cerebral signs. While frequently fatal, it is curable when diagnosed and treated promptly. We present a 79-year-old woman with idiopathic polymyositis, who was immunosuppressed by prolonged corticosteroid treatment. Her illness was complicated by SS hyperinfection. Diagnosis was made from stool and bronchial smears. Treatment with thiabendazole was started early and within a week there was complete cure. This is the fourth reported case of SS hyperinfection treated in Israel.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007814 Larva Wormlike or grublike stage, following the egg in the life cycle of insects, worms, and other metamorphosing animals. Maggots,Tadpoles,Larvae,Maggot,Tadpole
D005243 Feces Excrement from the INTESTINES, containing unabsorbed solids, waste products, secretions, and BACTERIA of the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000969 Antinematodal Agents Substances used in the treatment or control of nematode infestations. They are used also in veterinary practice. Nematocides,Antinematodal Drugs,Antinematodals,Agents, Antinematodal,Drugs, Antinematodal
D013322 Strongyloidiasis Infection with nematodes of the genus STRONGYLOIDES. The presence of larvae may produce pneumonitis and the presence of adult worms in the intestine could lead to moderate to severe diarrhea. Anguilluliasis,Anguilluliases,Strongyloidiases
D013827 Thiabendazole 2-Substituted benzimidazole first introduced in 1962. It is active against a variety of nematodes and is the drug of choice for STRONGYLOIDIASIS. It has CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM side effects and hepatototoxic potential. (From Smith and Reynard, Textbook of Pharmacology, 1992, p919) Tiabendazol,2-(4'-Thiazolyl)Benzimidazole,Mintesol,Mintezol,Omnizole,Thibendole
D016867 Immunocompromised Host A human or animal whose immunologic mechanism is deficient because of an immunodeficiency disorder or other disease or as the result of the administration of immunosuppressive drugs or radiation. Immunosuppressed Host,Immunocompromised Patient,Host, Immunocompromised,Host, Immunosuppressed,Hosts, Immunocompromised,Hosts, Immunosuppressed,Immunocompromised Hosts,Immunocompromised Patients,Immunosuppressed Hosts,Patient, Immunocompromised,Patients, Immunocompromised

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