title: Fatal stongyloides hyperinfection in heart transplantation.
abstract: S stercoralis is an intestinal parasite that normally causes a chronic, low-grade, mostly asymptomatic infection. Hyperinfection syndrome and dissemination, with secondary sepsis, may occur in immunosuppressed patients, especially those on corticosteroid therapy. We present a case of fatal strongyloidiasis occurring in a patient 1 month after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). We assess the diagnostic challenges in these patients where pulmonary and gastrointestinal symptoms predominate as presenting clinical manifestations. We also investigate the role of screening and prophylactic anti-helmintic therapy in patients at high risk of harboring the occult intestinal infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46214, USA. hze00@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Hicham Ziad
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: El Masry
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000601:surgery; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000382:microbiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000382:microbiology; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D017171:Strongyloides stercoralis; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D015163:Superinfection / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents