title: A Fatal Case of Strongyloidiasis in Pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Strongyloides stercoralis is a common human parasite worldwide and has been associated with severe infection in immunosuppressed patients. High mortality rates have accompanied this severe disseminated infection. There is a scarcity of literature surrounding severe Strongyloides infection in pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 30-year-old primigravid Haitian woman at 25 weeks of gestation presented with acute abdominal pain and an abnormal fetal heart tracing. Mild anemia and eosinophilia were laboratory abnormalities on admission. She received corticosteroids for the fetus and subsequently developed septic shock. Sputum and stool were positive for S stercoralis larvae. Hyperinfection was diagnosed, stillbirth occurred, and the patient died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A more global awareness and education surrounding helminth infection during pregnancy may improve response, reduce delay in diagnosis, and potentially improve outcome.
authors.affiliation: Montefiore Medical Center, Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Bronx, New York.
authors.forename: Arin M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Buresch
authors.forename: Nancy E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Judge
authors.forename: Ashlesha K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Dayal
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Garry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D050497:Stillbirth; D017171:Strongyloides stercoralis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013322:Strongyloidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis*