[Transient pruritus in an Ethiopean adoptee in Austria]

Strongyloidosis is highly endemic in humid tropical regions of the world and therefore should be considered in symptomatic travellers or immigrants. Clinical characteristics, diagnostic procedures and therapeutic options are discussed on the basis of a case report on a three years old adoptee from Ethiopia. In immunocompetent hosts the infection causes transient pruritic urticarial serpiginous lesions mostly located on the buttocks or lower extremities and unspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. In immunocompromised patients the infection can generalize and lead to hyperinfection, a syndrome lethal in up to 85% of patients. Diagnostic work up should include a white blood cell count and differential as well as serology. In case of eosinophilia and positive serology, detection of larvae with a concentration technique in minimum three stool samples should be performed. Ivermectin and Albendazole can be used for treatment. Response to treatment should be assessed by serology and eosinophil count three to six months after therapy.