1/19. strongyloides stercoralis infection presenting as generalized prurigo nodularis and lichen simplex chronicus.strongyloides stercoralis is a parasitic nematode that develops an autoinfective life cycle within the gastrointestinal tract of its human host. The infection produces peripheral eosinophilia and cutaneous eruptions, as well as gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms. Detection of S stercoralis is difficult through stool examination, but may be demonstrated by ELISA for IgG antibody against the parasite. We describe a patient with chronic S stercoralis infection initially presenting with generalized prurigo nodularis and lichen simplex chronicus.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cycle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/19. Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone and nonpalpable purpura in a woman with strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection.strongyloidiasis stercoralis hyperinfection presenting as vasculitic-like skin lesions is rare. An autoinfection cycle allows intestinal strongyloidiasis, usually a benign infection, to persist for many decades. We report a woman with disseminated S stercoralis infection presenting as nonpalpable purpuric skin rash and syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Upon admission, she was treated with corticosteroids for her vasculitic skin lesions, which then worsened her status. When the diagnosis was recognized, steroids were stopped, thiabendazole treatment was instituted, and she gradually recovered. Serious or fatal infection can occur in patients with strongyloidiasis who were treated with immunosuppressive drugs. Stool specimen screening and/or serological tests for S stercoralis infection in patients who require immunosuppressive therapy helps to prevent complications before embarking on such treatment. Unexplained hyponatremia, severe hypoalbuminemia without proteinuria, and unusual skin rashes, especially over the lower aspect of the abdomen and upper aspects of the thighs, in persons living in areas endemic to S stercoralis should raise suspicion of S stercoralis infection.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cycle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/19. Cutaneous strongyloides stercoralis infection: an unusual presentation.strongyloides stercoralis is a widespread, soil-transmitted, intestinal nematode common in tropical and subtropical countries. The parasite is unique in its capability to carry out its entire life cycle inside the human body. Human beings contract strongyloidiasis by penetration of filariform larvae into the skin or mucous membrane after contact with contaminated soil. The larvae travel by the venous systems to the lungs, then ascend the bronchi to the trachea, where the larvae are coughed up by the human host, subsequently swallowed, and attain their habitat in the small intestine. Chronic strongyloidiasis acquired in endemic areas may last decades and gives rise to various dermatologic lesions, the most characteristic of which is larva currens, a serpiginous, creeping urticarial eruption. In disseminated strongyloidiasis, the characteristic skin lesions are widespread petechiae and purpura. We present a case of disseminated strongyloidiasis with an unusual manifestation mimicking a drug rash and review the dermatologic manifestations of strongyloidiasis infestation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cycle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/19. diagnosis of strongyloides stercoralis in a peritoneal effusion from an hiv-seropositive man. A case report.BACKGROUND: strongyloides stercoralis, a nematode parasite in humans with free-living and autoinfective cycles, is often an asymptomatic infection of the upper small intestine. If the host becomes immunocompromised, autoinfection may increase the intestinal worm burden and lead to disseminated strongyloidiasis. The parthenogenetic adult female larvae can remain embedded in the mucosa of the small intestine for years, producing eggs that develop into either rhabditiform, noninfective larvae or filariform, infective larvae. Manifestations of dissemination occur when the filariform larvae penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate into the blood. Pulmonary involvement is common, and the central nervous system may be affected. blood eosinophilia is typical, and gram-negative sepsis from enteric bacteria may occur. Much less commonly described is invasion of the peritoneal cavity with peritoneal effusion. CASE: A 49-year-old man who came to the united states from liberia 4 years earlier presented with sudden onset of severe abdominal distention, generalized weakness and marked pedal edema. Diagnostic paracentesis showed numerous filariform larvae of S stercoralis. Stool examination confirmed the presence of both rhabditiform and filariform larvae. Subsequently the patient was found to be hiv seropositive, with a CD4 lymphocyte count of 59. CONCLUSION: Early detection of S stercoralis may alter the often-fatal course of infection. The present case is the second reported one in the English-language literature of the diagnosis of S stercoralis in ascitic fluid.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cycle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/19. Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome after heart transplantation: case report and review of the literature.Stronglyoides hyperinfection syndrome (SHS) is an augmentation of the infective life cycle of S stercoralis. Immunosuppressed patients, especially those taking corticosteroid therapy, are at risk. We present a case of fatal SHS with disseminated infection following orthotopic heart transplantation. The patient was treated with increased doses of immunosuppressive medications for graft rejection, including corticosteroids. A review of the literature describing the pathophysiology, host defenses and treatment of SHS is also presented. Diagnostic tests for S stercoralis are reviewed. SHS should be part of the differential diagnosis in immunosuppressed patients presenting with sepsis or gastrointestinal or pulmonary complaints. Pretransplant evaluation for parasitic infections, including strongyloidiasis, should occur in endemic areas or in patients at risk for occult infestation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cycle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/19. Atypical gastric presentation of strongyloidiasis in hiv-infected patient--case report.strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal helminth of systemic distribution, which, once in its host, has the ability to perpetuate itself through an autoinfection cycle, leading to chronic infection. In healthy hosts, the parasite usually does not cause any symptoms, or only mild symptoms that are limited mainly to the small intestine. However, in immunocompromised hosts, uncontrolled multiplication with massive infection may occur, causing hyperinfection syndrome or disseminated strongyloidiasis, which are both associated with high morbidity and mortality. There are few reports of gastric involvement, particularly presenting as ulcer in the stomach. We report a case of gastric ulcer caused by S. stercoralis in hiv-infected patient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cycle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/19. Subcutaneous ivermectin as a safe salvage therapy in strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome: a case report.strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome due to the acceleration of the autoinfective cycle of the nematode is a life-threatening form of the infection occurring in immunocompromised hosts. Intestinal ileus, which is commonly encountered in this form, may reduce the bioavailability and thus the efficacy of oral anthelminthic drugs used in the treatment of the S. stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome. We report the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous administration of ivermectin in a patient infected with human T cell lymphotropic virus type I with S. stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome who was unresponsive to an oral combination of ivermectin and albendazole.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cycle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/19. Fatal disseminated strongyloidiasis in patients on immunosuppressive therapy: report of two cases.Disseminated strongyloidiasis is a rare manifestation in patients on immunosuppressive drugs. We report two cases of fatal disseminated Strongyloides stercoralis infestation. The first was in a patient of pemphigus vulgaris who developed an exacerbation of symptoms, one year after diagnosis and was given intravenous dexamethasone and azathioprine and in the third week of hospitalization developed features of septicemia, respiratory failure and petechial hemorrhages which were proven to be due to disseminated strongyloidiasis. The second patient was diagnosed to have stage IV diffuse large cell type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and after the second cycle of chemotherapy, developed generalized symptoms of septicemia, respiratory failure, purpuric macules and patches. This was also proven to be disseminated strongyloidiasis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cycle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/19. Strongyloides infections in transplant recipients.Solid organ transplant recipients can experience serious disease and death from infection due to the parasitic roundworm strongyloides stercoralis. This parasite lives in soil contaminated with human feces. Domestic dogs and cats may be another reservoir. Larvae can penetrate the skin, are carried hematogenously to the lungs, migrate up the bronchial tree, and then can be passed to the upper small intestine. Autoinfection occurs in the setting of immunosuppression when invasive larvae penetrate the gut wall and cause disseminated infection. Polymicrobial sepsis is sometimes seen due to enteric organisms adhering to the parasite. Transplant recipients are at highest risk during the first 3 months posttransplant. Many organ systems may be affected. Pulmonary symptoms include cough, wheezing, sputum production, dyspnea, hemoptysis, tachypneas, and pleuritic pain. Hyperinfection, an augmentation of the normal skin-lung-intestine life cycle, occurs in roughly two-thirds of infected transplant recipients, with dissemination in the remainder. diagnosis is made primarily by examination of the stool or intestinal secretions for ova and parasites. Occasionally, parasites are noted in the sputum. New serologic tests show promise. The parasite may remain in the host for over 25 years before immunosuppression causes either dissemination or hyperinfection. thiabendazole given for 3 to 7 days is the treatment of choice for organ transplant recipients. Repeat courses may be needed to eradicate infection.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cycle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/19. Overwhelming strongyloidiasis: an unappreciated opportunistic infection.strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode which infects a large portion of the world's population. Individuals with infection confined to the intestinal tract are often asymptomatic but may have abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, and other nonspecific complaints. Enhanced proliferation of the parasite in compromised hosts causes an augmentation of the normal life-cycle. Resultant massive invasion of the gastrointestinal tract and lungs is termed the hyperinfection syndrome. If the worm burden is excessive, parasitic invasion of other tissues occurs and is termed disseminated strongyloidiasis. A variety of underlying conditions appear to predispose to severe infections. These are primarily diseases characterized by immunodeficiency due to defective T-lymphocyte function (Table 1). Individuals with less severe disorders become compromised hosts because of therapeutic regimens consisting of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication. The debilitation of chronic illness or malnutrition also predisposes to systemic stronglyloidiasis. The diagnosis of strongyloidiasis can be readily made by microscopic examination of concentrates of upper small bowel fluid, stool, or sputum. Important clues suggesting this infection include unexplained gram-negative bacillary bacteremia in a compromised host who may have vague abdominal complaints, an ileus pattern on X-ray, and pulmonary infiltrates. eosinophilia is helpful, if present, but should not be relied upon to exclude the diagnosis. The treatment of systemic infection due to strongyloides stercoralis with either thiabensazole 25 mg/kg orally twice daily is satisfactory if the diagnosis is made early. Because of several unusual features of this illness in compromised hosts, the standard recommendation for 2 days of therapy should be abandoned in such patients. Immunodeficiency, corticosteroids, and bowel ileus reduce drug efficacy. Thus a longer treatment period of at leuch as blind loops or diverticula necessitate longer treatment. Stool specimens and upper small bowel aspirates should be monitored regularly and treatment continued several days beyond the last evidence of the parasite. In particularly difficult situations where either worm eradication is impossible or reinfection is probable, short monthly courses of antihelminthic therapy seem to be effective in averting recurrent systemic illness. Finally, prevention of hyperinfection or dissemination due to strongyloides stercoralis can be accomplished by screening immunocompromised hosts with stool and upper small bowel aspirate examinations. These would be especially important prior to initiating chemotherapy, or before giving immunosuppressive medications or corticosteroids to patients with nonneoplastic conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, nephrotic syndrome, or renal allografts.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = cycle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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