Strongyloides stercoralis: Difference between revisions

No edit summary
(Prepared the page for translation)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
<languages/>
<translate>


==Background==
==Background==
*Intestinal nematode; roundworm
*Intestinal nematode; roundworm
*Endemic in tropical/subtropical areas such as Africa, Southeast Asia, Central/South America<ref>Buonfrate D, Requena-Mendez A, Angheben A, Munoz J, Gobi F, Van Den Ende J, Bisoffi Z.  Severe strongyloidiasis: a systematic review of case reports. BMC Infectious Diseases 2013, 13: 78.  doi:10.1186/1471-2334-13-78</ref>
*Endemic in tropical/subtropical areas such as Africa, Southeast Asia, Central/South America<ref>Buonfrate D, Requena-Mendez A, Angheben A, Munoz J, Gobi F, Van Den Ende J, Bisoffi Z.  Severe strongyloidiasis: a systematic review of case reports. BMC Infectious Diseases 2013, 13: 78.  doi:10.1186/1471-2334-13-78</ref>


===Life Cycle===
===Life Cycle===
*Present in contaminated soil → larvae penetrate skin of hosts walking barefoot → enter venous circulation, migrate to lungs, then are expectorated to pharynx and swallowed → larvae develop into females that lay eggs asexually into GI tract, which hatch into larvae and are excreted into stool
*Present in contaminated soil → larvae penetrate skin of hosts walking barefoot → enter venous circulation, migrate to lungs, then are expectorated to pharynx and swallowed → larvae develop into females that lay eggs asexually into GI tract, which hatch into larvae and are excreted into stool
*Larvae either become sexually reproducing males/females or filariform larvae that can reinfect host
*Larvae either become sexually reproducing males/females or filariform larvae that can reinfect host
*Autoinfection: Unique to Strongyloides; GI larvae can migrate from GI tract to venous system, then to lungs and proceed with life cycle
*Autoinfection: Unique to Strongyloides; GI larvae can migrate from GI tract to venous system, then to lungs and proceed with life cycle
**Can lead to dramatic increase in worm burden and hyperinfection in immunocompromised
**Can lead to dramatic increase in worm burden and hyperinfection in immunocompromised


===Risk factors===
===Risk factors===
*[[Corticosteroid]] use, immunosuppression
 
*[[transplant complications|Transplantation]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Corticosteroid|Corticosteroid]] use, immunosuppression
*Hematologic neoplasm (e.g. [[leukemia]])
*[[Special:MyLanguage/transplant complications|Transplantation]]
*Hematologic neoplasm (e.g. [[Special:MyLanguage/leukemia|leukemia]])
*Human T-lymphotropic virus-1 infection (HTLV-1)
*Human T-lymphotropic virus-1 infection (HTLV-1)
*[[Malnutrition]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Malnutrition|Malnutrition]]
*[[Diabetes]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Diabetes|Diabetes]]
*Chronic [[renal failure]]
*Chronic [[Special:MyLanguage/renal failure|renal failure]]
*Chronic [[alcohol Abuse|alcohol use]]
*Chronic [[Special:MyLanguage/alcohol Abuse|alcohol use]]
 


===Clinical significance===
===Clinical significance===
*Chronic infection in immunosuppressed can lead to fulminant dissemination with case fatality rate as high as 70%; strong index of suspicion is needed in such cases
*Chronic infection in immunosuppressed can lead to fulminant dissemination with case fatality rate as high as 70%; strong index of suspicion is needed in such cases


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*Asymptomatic in up to 60% of those infected<ref>Greaves D, Coggle S, Pollar C, Aliyu SH, Moore EM. Strongyloides stercoralis infection. BMJ 2013;347:f4610 doi: 10.1136/bmj.f4610 (Published 30 July 2013).</ref>
*Asymptomatic in up to 60% of those infected<ref>Greaves D, Coggle S, Pollar C, Aliyu SH, Moore EM. Strongyloides stercoralis infection. BMJ 2013;347:f4610 doi: 10.1136/bmj.f4610 (Published 30 July 2013).</ref>
*Nonspecific GI complaints are most common presentation
*Nonspecific GI complaints are most common presentation
**Weight loss, [[diarrhea]], [[abdominal pain]], [[vomiting]]
**Weight loss, [[Special:MyLanguage/diarrhea|diarrhea]], [[Special:MyLanguage/abdominal pain|abdominal pain]], [[Special:MyLanguage/vomiting|vomiting]]
 
===Dermatologic===
===Dermatologic===
*Larva currens: rapidly progressive pruritic linear eruption due to migration of larvae
*Larva currens: rapidly progressive pruritic linear eruption due to migration of larvae
*Perianal [[pruritus]]
*Perianal [[Special:MyLanguage/pruritus|pruritus]]
*Foot [[pruritus]] (“ground itch”)
*Foot [[Special:MyLanguage/pruritus|pruritus]] (“ground itch”)
 


===Respiratory===
===Respiratory===
*Dry [[cough]]
 
*[[Wheezing]]
*Dry [[Special:MyLanguage/cough|cough]]
*Loeffler’s-like syndrome: [[fever]], [[shortness of breath]], [[wheezing]], pulmonary infiltrates
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Wheezing|Wheezing]]
*Loeffler’s-like syndrome: [[Special:MyLanguage/fever|fever]], [[Special:MyLanguage/shortness of breath|shortness of breath]], [[Special:MyLanguage/wheezing|wheezing]], pulmonary infiltrates
 


====Immunocompromised patients====
====Immunocompromised patients====
*Respiratory and systemic symptoms such as fever will be more common<ref>Lim S, Katz K, Krajden S, Fuksa M, Keystone JS, Kain KC.  Complicated and fatal Strongyloides infection in Canadians: risk factors, diagnosis and management. CMAJ 2004; 171 (5): 479-484.</ref>
*Respiratory and systemic symptoms such as fever will be more common<ref>Lim S, Katz K, Krajden S, Fuksa M, Keystone JS, Kain KC.  Complicated and fatal Strongyloides infection in Canadians: risk factors, diagnosis and management. CMAJ 2004; 171 (5): 479-484.</ref>
*Disseminated disease will invade multiple organ systems, including liver and brain
*Disseminated disease will invade multiple organ systems, including liver and brain


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
*[[Inflammatory bowel disease]]
 
*[[Schistosomiasis]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Inflammatory bowel disease|Inflammatory bowel disease]]
*[[Filariasis]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Schistosomiasis|Schistosomiasis]]
*[[Hookworm]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Filariasis|Filariasis]]
*[[Toxocara canis]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Hookworm|Hookworm]]
*[[Atopic dermatitis]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Toxocara canis|Toxocara canis]]
*[[Asthma]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Atopic dermatitis|Atopic dermatitis]]
*Allergic bronchopulmonary [[aspergillosis]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Asthma|Asthma]]
*[[Coccidioidomycosis]]
*Allergic bronchopulmonary [[Special:MyLanguage/aspergillosis|aspergillosis]]
*[[HIV]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Coccidioidomycosis|Coccidioidomycosis]]
*[[Churg-Strauss syndrome]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/HIV|HIV]]
*Eosinophilic [[leukemia]]
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Churg-Strauss syndrome|Churg-Strauss syndrome]]
*Eosinophilic [[Special:MyLanguage/leukemia|leukemia]]
 


==Evaluation==
==Evaluation==
*Establish possibility of infection (travel to endemic areas, etc)
*Establish possibility of infection (travel to endemic areas, etc)
*Uncomplicated strongyloidiasis: 3 serial stool samples screened for ova and parasites, as well as ELISA for Strongyloides
*Uncomplicated strongyloidiasis: 3 serial stool samples screened for ova and parasites, as well as ELISA for Strongyloides
**Complicated strongyloidiasis: blood/sputum cultures, in addition to above
**Complicated strongyloidiasis: blood/sputum cultures, in addition to above
*Notable [[eosinophilia]] in up to 70% of cases, though can be absent in immunosuppressed
*Notable [[Special:MyLanguage/eosinophilia|eosinophilia]] in up to 70% of cases, though can be absent in immunosuppressed
*Gram negative bacteremia may be present in immunocompromised
*Gram negative bacteremia may be present in immunocompromised


==Management==
==Management==
===Uncomplicated strongyloidiasis, normal immune system===
===Uncomplicated strongyloidiasis, normal immune system===
*[[Ivermectin]] 200 mcg/kg daily x 1-2d (drug of choice)
 
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Ivermectin|Ivermectin]] 200 mcg/kg daily x 1-2d (drug of choice)
'''OR'''
'''OR'''
*[[Albendazole]] 400mg BID x 7d
*[[Special:MyLanguage/Albendazole|Albendazole]] 400mg BID x 7d
*Can consider albendazole prophylaxis in immigrants from endemic regions with consistent clinical presentation
*Can consider albendazole prophylaxis in immigrants from endemic regions with consistent clinical presentation


===Immunosuppressed===
===Immunosuppressed===
*Combination therapy: [[albendazole]] 400mg BID x 7d AND [[ivermectin]] 200 mcg/kg daily x 1-2d<ref name="treat">Feely NM, Waghorn DJ, Dexter T, Gallen I, Chiodini.  Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection: difficulties in diagnosis and treatment.  Anaesthesia 2010; 65: 298-301.</ref>
 
*Combination therapy: [[Special:MyLanguage/albendazole|albendazole]] 400mg BID x 7d AND [[Special:MyLanguage/ivermectin|ivermectin]] 200 mcg/kg daily x 1-2d<ref name="treat">Feely NM, Waghorn DJ, Dexter T, Gallen I, Chiodini.  Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection: difficulties in diagnosis and treatment.  Anaesthesia 2010; 65: 298-301.</ref>
*Antibiotics may need to be continued until there is evidence that parasite is cleared<ref name="treat" />
*Antibiotics may need to be continued until there is evidence that parasite is cleared<ref name="treat" />


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
*Discharge uncomplicated cases in those who are not immunosuppressed
*Discharge uncomplicated cases in those who are not immunosuppressed
*Admit if immunocompromised or systemic symptoms
*Admit if immunocompromised or systemic symptoms


==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>


Line 83: Line 114:
[[Category:ID]]
[[Category:ID]]
[[Category:GI]]
[[Category:GI]]
</translate>

Latest revision as of 23:59, 4 January 2026


Background

  • Intestinal nematode; roundworm
  • Endemic in tropical/subtropical areas such as Africa, Southeast Asia, Central/South America[1]


Life Cycle

  • Present in contaminated soil → larvae penetrate skin of hosts walking barefoot → enter venous circulation, migrate to lungs, then are expectorated to pharynx and swallowed → larvae develop into females that lay eggs asexually into GI tract, which hatch into larvae and are excreted into stool
  • Larvae either become sexually reproducing males/females or filariform larvae that can reinfect host
  • Autoinfection: Unique to Strongyloides; GI larvae can migrate from GI tract to venous system, then to lungs and proceed with life cycle
    • Can lead to dramatic increase in worm burden and hyperinfection in immunocompromised


Risk factors


Clinical significance

  • Chronic infection in immunosuppressed can lead to fulminant dissemination with case fatality rate as high as 70%; strong index of suspicion is needed in such cases


Clinical Features

Dermatologic

  • Larva currens: rapidly progressive pruritic linear eruption due to migration of larvae
  • Perianal pruritus
  • Foot pruritus (“ground itch”)


Respiratory


Immunocompromised patients

  • Respiratory and systemic symptoms such as fever will be more common[3]
  • Disseminated disease will invade multiple organ systems, including liver and brain


Differential Diagnosis


Evaluation

  • Establish possibility of infection (travel to endemic areas, etc)
  • Uncomplicated strongyloidiasis: 3 serial stool samples screened for ova and parasites, as well as ELISA for Strongyloides
    • Complicated strongyloidiasis: blood/sputum cultures, in addition to above
  • Notable eosinophilia in up to 70% of cases, though can be absent in immunosuppressed
  • Gram negative bacteremia may be present in immunocompromised


Management

Uncomplicated strongyloidiasis, normal immune system

  • Ivermectin 200 mcg/kg daily x 1-2d (drug of choice)

OR

  • Albendazole 400mg BID x 7d
  • Can consider albendazole prophylaxis in immigrants from endemic regions with consistent clinical presentation


Immunosuppressed

  • Combination therapy: albendazole 400mg BID x 7d AND ivermectin 200 mcg/kg daily x 1-2d[4]
  • Antibiotics may need to be continued until there is evidence that parasite is cleared[4]


Disposition

  • Discharge uncomplicated cases in those who are not immunosuppressed
  • Admit if immunocompromised or systemic symptoms


References

  1. Buonfrate D, Requena-Mendez A, Angheben A, Munoz J, Gobi F, Van Den Ende J, Bisoffi Z. Severe strongyloidiasis: a systematic review of case reports. BMC Infectious Diseases 2013, 13: 78. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-13-78
  2. Greaves D, Coggle S, Pollar C, Aliyu SH, Moore EM. Strongyloides stercoralis infection. BMJ 2013;347:f4610 doi: 10.1136/bmj.f4610 (Published 30 July 2013).
  3. Lim S, Katz K, Krajden S, Fuksa M, Keystone JS, Kain KC. Complicated and fatal Strongyloides infection in Canadians: risk factors, diagnosis and management. CMAJ 2004; 171 (5): 479-484.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Feely NM, Waghorn DJ, Dexter T, Gallen I, Chiodini. Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection: difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. Anaesthesia 2010; 65: 298-301.