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Experimental Infection of Mice with the Parasitic Nematode Strongyloides ratti
Published on: January 17, 2025
Not your typical strongyloides infection: a literature review and case study
Elizabeth B Foreman1, Philip J Abraham, Jeffrey L Garland
1Division of Community Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
Abstract:
Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome is one of several clinical manifestations of strongyloidiasis and has a mortality rate exceeding 85%. The syndrome is characterized by a high organism burden owing to autoinfection and is most common in immunocom-promised hosts. The recovery of multiple pathogens is likely due to a piggyback phenomenon that occurs when enteric pathogens are transferred to the bloodstream attached to Strongyloides larvae. Herein, we describe a case of Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome with a novel feature in a 69-year-old Venezuelan man. To our knowledge, this is the first case of Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia occurring simultaneously. Owing to its extremely high mortality rate, Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome must be considered early in the differential diagnosis for respiratory failure when multiple pathogens are recovered in patients from endemic areas.
Insights
Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome, a severe condition with high mortality, can present with multiple pathogens. This case highlights its simultaneous occurrence with Pneumocystis pneumonia.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Strongyloidiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis.
- Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome (SHS) is a life-threatening complication characterized by massive autoinfection.
- SHS predominantly affects immunocompromised individuals and has a mortality rate exceeding 85%.
Observation:
- A 69-year-old Venezuelan man presented with SHS.
- The patient exhibited a novel coinfection: SHS and Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP).
- Multiple pathogens were recovered, suggesting a piggyback phenomenon facilitating bacterial translocation.
Findings:
- This is the first reported case of simultaneous SHS and PJP.
- The coinfection likely contributed to the patient's respiratory failure.
- The piggyback phenomenon may explain the presence of enteric pathogens in the bloodstream.
Implications:
- Early consideration of SHS is crucial in diagnosing respiratory failure in endemic populations, especially with multiple pathogen recovery.
- This case expands the clinical spectrum of SHS presentations.
- Co-infections, such as PJP, may complicate the management and prognosis of SHS.
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