IngentaConnect Strongyloides hyper-infection: a case for awareness

Authors: Potter A.¹; Stephens D.¹; de Keulenaer B.¹

Source: Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Volume 97, Number 8, December 2003 , pp. 855-860(6)

Abstract:

In patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies, Strongyloides stercoralis can cause a life-threatening septic shock, with multi-organ failure and infestation. Strongyloides hyper-infection should be considered in any immunosuppressed patient who has been exposed to the parasite, even if it is many years since that exposure occurred. Delayed eosinophilia may be a feature and treatment with high doses of anthelmintics may be required. An interesting case of S. stercoralis hyper-infection was recently observed at the Royal Darwin Hospital in tropical, northern Australia. The patient was an 18-year-old female with lupus glomerulonephritis, who was receiving immunosuppression in the form of corticosteroids and pulse cyclophosphamide. The characteristics and intensive-care management of this case, including the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and high-dose ivermectin, are described. The patient, who survived, appears to represent the first reported case of S. stercoralis hyper-infection with suspected myocarditis.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1179/000349803225002453

Affiliations: 1: Intensive Care Unit, The Royal Darwin Hospital, P.O. Box 41326, Casuarina, NT 0811, Australia

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