The Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome
Jamil, S.A.; Hilton, E.
New York State Journal of Medicine 92(2): 67-68
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-7628 PMID: 1565315 Document Number: 397670
The case of a 41-year-old woman with stage IV lymphoma and the Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome is presented. She initially complained of fever, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. There was massive weight loss. In the previous 6 months she had received 2 courses of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, etoposide and doxorubicin. S. stercoralis were found in her stools and she was started on thiabendazole 25 mg/kg. Shortly after the first dose she became dyspnoeic and hypotensive. Bronchoalveolar lavage demonstrated S. stercoralis motile larvae. She was started on ivermectin (10 mg/day), but after an initial improvement in her condition, the patient had a generalized seizure and she expired. The hyperinfection syndrome is discussed in some detail. It is most commonly seen in immunocompromised individuals and also in conditions associated with T cell dysfunction, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This patient was immunocompromised and had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.