[Strongyloides stercoralys as an unusual cause of COPD exacerbation].
The nematode of the genus Strongyloides can persist in the body for long periods with asymptomatic eosinophilia as its only manifestation. If patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are also infected by this organism, altered cellular immunity or therapy with corticosteroids, which are commonly used to treat COPD exacerbations, could lead to hyperinfection and dissemination of the larvae from the gastrointestinal tract to the bloodstream. Thus, the unexpected presence of enteric bacteria in the context of a nonsevere COPD exacerbation with unexplained chronic eosinophilia should lead us to search for rhabditiform larvae in stool.
Ortiz Romero
María del Mar
Mdel M
Sección de Microbiología, Hospital General Reina Sofía, Murcia, España.
León Martínez
María Dolores
MD
Muñoz Pérez
María Angeles
MA
Altuna Cuesta
Antonio
A
Cano Sánchez
Alfredo
A
Hernández Martínez
José
J
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications*; D017171:Strongyloides stercoralis; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis