Unsuspected strongyloides coexisting with adenocarcinoma of the lung

The findings in an unsuspected case of Strongyloides stercoralis infestation coexisting with adenocarcinoma of the lung are presented. The diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was confirmed histologically by lung biopsies; the parasitic infection was initially diagnosed by sputum cytology and then by bronchial washings. A stool specimen submitted to the microbiology laboratory confirmed the diagnosis of S. stercoralis infection. This case again suggests the possibility that neoplastic disease may play a role similar to that of immunosuppression in creating an immune deficiency, thus increasing the susceptibility to infectious diseases.