Work

Pulmonary thromboembolism—a rare presentation for Strongyloides hyperinfection in an immunocompetent patient

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode. It is widely distributed in the tropics and sub-tropics of the world. It can cause a wide array of illnesses ranging from asymptomatic autoinfection to a severe form of hyperinfection and disseminated strongyloidiasis. Here we report a case of a 73-year-old patient presenting with obstructive shock with bipedal edema without any evidence of adrenal insufficiency. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed Strongyloides larva in the lumen of duodenal crypts. Stool examination and broncho-alveolar lavage revealed the presence of S. stercoralis larva. Computed tomography of pulmonary angiography revealed pulmonary thromboembolism. A long segment thrombus was also noted in the right external iliac vein on color Doppler with negative screening for malignancy on computed tomography scan. This case suggests that pulmonary thromboembolism with anemia and hypoalbuminemia could be a rare presentation of a systemic illness like Strongyloides hyperinfection in an immunocompetent patient from the tropics.

Source: Oxford Medical Case Reports

DOI: 10.1093/omcr/omae152

Authors: Mir Wasim Ali, Soumadip Rakshit, Atreyee Sarkar, Md Karimulla Mondal, Anup Kumar Datta, Uttara Chatterjee

Institution: Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research

Language: English

Topic: Parasites and Host Interactions

Subfield: Parasitology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,180