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Strongyloidiasis in infancy. Case report and review
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences
|December 1, 1983
Insights
A pediatric case of severe failure to thrive was linked to Strongyloides stercoralis infection. Prompt thiabendazole treatment led to complete recovery, highlighting the importance of recognizing this parasitic infection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Intractable diarrhea and failure to thrive in infants can have diverse etiologies.
- Strongyloidiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis, often overlooked in non-endemic areas.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric parasitic infections.
Observation:
- A 15-month-old child presented with severe failure to thrive and intractable diarrhea since 20 days of age.
- Live Strongyloides larvae were identified in duodenal aspirates.
- Larvae were observed embedded within the jejunal mucosa crypts via peroral biopsy.
Findings:
- The presence of Strongyloides larvae confirmed a diagnosis of strongyloidiasis.
- Treatment with thiabendazole resulted in a dramatic clinical improvement and recovery.
- The study underscores the diagnostic utility of duodenal aspiration and jejunal biopsy.
Implications:
- Strongyloidiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric failure to thrive and chronic diarrhea, even in atypical settings.
- Timely recognition and appropriate antiparasitic treatment (thiabendazole) can reverse severe clinical manifestations.
- Further research into the pathophysiology and clinical spectrum of strongyloidiasis in children is warranted.
Abstract:
A 15-month-old child with extreme failure to thrive due to intractable diarrhea since the age of 20 days was found to have live Strongyloides larvae in aspirated duodenal juice. Larvae were seen embedded in crypts of jejunal mucosa obtained by peroral biopsy. Following treatment with thiabendazole, a dramatic recovery ensued. The pathophysiology and clinical spectrum of strongyloidiasis is reviewed and the importance of its recognition stressed.