title: [Strongyloides Stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome: case report].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Strongyloides Stercoralis is a common cause of gastrointestinal infection. This nematode can produce an overwhelming hyperinfection syndrome, especially in the immunocompromised patient. Typically, patients present with pulmonary symptoms, but subsequently they can acquire Gram-negative sepsis. The objective of this report is to describe a lethal case and call attention to the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male patient, 60 year-old with diagnosis of timoma, treated with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the past. He presented to the emergency room complaining of diarrhea and dyspnea, and then transferred to the ICU after development of hypoxemic acute respiratory failure and refractory septic shock, and despite treatment the patient died. A bronchial sample of sputum showed Strongyloides stercoralis worms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strongyloides stercoralis infection symptoms are usually mild, but in the setting of impaired host immunity, a disseminated and severe illness may occur. Clinicians must be aware for patients from endemic areas. Diagnosis may be established through sputum and stool examination for Strongyloides stercoralis worms.
authors.affiliation: Terapia Intensiva, Hospital São Lucas, PUCRS.
authors.forename: Cristian Chassot
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Benincasa
authors.affiliation: Neurologia, Hospital São Lucas, PUCRS.
authors.forename: Felipe Olson
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.affiliation: UTI Geral, Hospital São Lucas, PUCRS.
authors.forename: Marcelo Silveira
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Canabarro
authors.affiliation: Terapia Intensiva, Hospital São Lucas, PUCRS.
authors.forename: Helen Martins
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Valentim
authors.affiliation: Hospital São Lucas, PUCRS.
authors.forename: Vinícius Duval da
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Patologia Clínica, Hospital São Lucas, PUCRS.
authors.forename: Silvana Vargas
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Superti
authors.affiliation: UTI Geral, Hospital São Lucas, PUCRS.
authors.forename: Fernando Suparregui
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Dias