Dissemination of Strongyloides stercoralis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus after initiation of albendazole: a case report

IntroductionStrongyloides stercoralis infection affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. As immigration rates and international travel increase, so does the number of cases of strongyloidiasis in the United States.

Although described both in immigrant and in immunosuppressed populations, hyperinfection and dissemination of S. stercoralis following the initiation of antiparasitic medication is a previously unreported phenomenon.Case presentationHere we describe the case of a 38-year-old immunocompromised woman with systemic lupus erythematosus, who developed disseminated disease following treatment with albendazole (400mg every 12 hours).

Notably the patient was receiving oral prednisone (10mg once daily), azathioprine (50mg twice daily), and hydroxychloroquine (400mg daily) at the time of hospitalization. The patient was subsequently treated successfully with ivermectin (200mcg/kg daily).

Conclusion: The reader should be aware that dissemination of S.

stercoralis can occur even after the initiation of antiparasitic medication.

Author: Catherine J Hunter, Mikael Petrosyan and Morris Asch
Credits/Source: Journal of Medical Case Reports 2008, 2:156

Published on: 2008-05-14

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