Strongyloidiasis: A Review and Update by Case Example

Katherine Greiner; Joseph Bettencourt; Carole Semolic

doi:10.29074/ascls.21.2.82

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Katherine Greiner, MS MT (ASCP)⇑
1. is associate professor, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences (Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Immunology/Immunohematology), Marist College, Poughkeepsie NY
Joseph Bettencourt, PhD
1. is associate professor, Department of Biology (Parasitology, Immunology, Anatomy), Marist College, Poughkeepsie NY
Carole Semolic, MT
1. is medical technologist, Microbiology Department, St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh NY

Address for correspondence: Katherine Greiner MS MT (ASCP), associate professor, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences (Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Immunology/Immunohematology), Marist College, DN 228, 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie NY 12601. (845) 575-3000, ext. 2505, (845) 575-3184 (fax). Katherine.Greiner{at}Marist.Edu.

Abstract

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.

OBJECTIVES: 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.

ABBREVIATIONS: AIDS = acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; EIA = enzyme immunoassay; HIV = human immunodeficiency virus; HTLV-1 = human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1; IgE = immunoglobulin E; IgG = immunoglobulin G.