[Disseminated strongyloidosis in AIDS patients: apropos of two cases]

Rev Cubana Med Trop. 2006 May-Aug;58(2):165-8.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Two cases with hyperinfection syndrome caused by Strongyloides stercoralis in the development of HIV/AIDS were reported. These patients had a severe immunodepression with lymphocyte counts of the subpopulation of CD4+ T cells under 200 cells/mm3. In the first case, a predominance of respiratory manifestations was observed and numerous Strongyloides rhabditiform larvae were found in sputum and faeces. In the second case, the neurological manifestations were more common, but only a larva of Strongyloides stercoralis could be detected per microscopic field (100X of magnification) in faeces. Both individuals in spite of the applied therapeutics had a fatal end. The importance of this paper is to be aware of the possibility of an infection disseminated by this helminth in some patients, and to be ready for a suitable diagnosis and an adequate treatment or prevention of the fatal consequences of the infection caused by this nematode.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / parasitology*
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Eosinophilia / parasitology
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Larva
  • Male
  • Meningoencephalitis / parasitology
  • Pneumonia / parasitology
  • Strongyloides stercoralis / growth & development
  • Strongyloides stercoralis / isolation & purification*
  • Strongyloidiasis / diagnosis
  • Strongyloidiasis / etiology*
  • Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral / diagnosis