Strongyloidiasis: a review and update by case example.
A 77-year-old female immigrant from South America presented with epigastric pain, diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding, malabsorption, and acid reflux disorder. A gastroduodenoscopy, performed to assess for peptic ulcer disease, revealed parasitic larvae in the duodenal mucosa which were subsequently identified as Strongyloides stercoralis rhabditiform larvae. Anti-helminthic therapy was initiated to resolve infection.


OBJECTIVE
Review the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of strongyloidiasis; alert laboratory professionals to the importance of early detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in specimens from immigrants at risk and immunodeficient patients to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Greiner
Katherine
K
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences (Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Immunology/Immu- nohematology), Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, USA. Katherine.Greiner@Marist.Edu
Bettencourt
Joseph
J
Semolic
Carole
C
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015984:Causality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D013321:Strongyloides / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
D000871:Anthelmintics