Strongyloides stercoralis - a Legacy from the Past
  • Inês Chora
    Centro Hospitalar de São João
  • Rodrigo Pimentel
    Centro Hospitalar de São João
  • Fernando Friões
    Centro Hospitalar de São João
  • Paula Dias
    Centro Hospitalar de São João
  • Sérgio Silva
    Centro Hospitalar de São João

Keywords

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, Immunosuppression, strongyloides stercoralis

Abstract

The authors present the case of a 65-year-old Caucasian man who had previously lived in Guinea-Bissau. The patient was diagnosed in Portugal with an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis and started on corticosteroids plus cyclophosphamide, with clinical improvement. Some months later, his general status deteriorated, iatrogenic bicytopenia developed and immunosuppressive drugs were tapered. Microbiological tests identified numerous larvae and eggs of Strongyloides stercoralis in various biological samples, and a diagnosis of hyperinfection syndrome was established. The patient was started on antihelminthic drugs but developed septic shock and died. This case highlights a rare and severe complication of immunosuppression in developed countries.

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    Published: 2015-10-16
    Issue: Vol. 2 No. 7 (2015) (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Chora I, Pimentel R, Friões F, Dias P, Silva S. Strongyloides stercoralis - a Legacy from the Past. EJCRIM 2015;2 doi:10.12890/2015_000286.

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