Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Immunocompromised Host

Strongyloides stercoralis is a soil-dwelling roundworm that causes an intestinal infection, Strongyloidiasis. In the United States, this helminth generally causes chronic asymptomatic infection, and severe symptomatic infections are reported in immunocompromised hosts like patients undergoing chemotherapy, receiving long-term corticosteroids, transplant patients, or patients with HIV. The clinicians should have a high index of suspicion to diagnose this infection, as the exposure is usually remote and symptoms are non-specific. The treatment is simple, with oral anti-helminthic drugs like ivermectin and albendazole.