Introduction: Strongylodiasis is a term attributed to the many pathologies caused by the nematode helminth Strongyloides stercoralis. The condition is prevalent in around 70 countries with endemicity in tropical and subtropical climates, including the Southern United States. In chronically infected and immunocompetent individuals, the disease is generally asymptomatic with eosinophilia and stool larvae being the only indication of infection. A more disseminated form of the disease can lead to a debilitating condition known as Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome (SHS), caused by a high intestinal parasitic load leading to multi-organ damage. SHS may reach 2% of patients with strongyloidiasis, typically occurring in the immunocompromised with underlying conditions such as hematologic neoplasias, advanced HIV, and organ transplantation. The risk of SHS in immunocompetent patients is not zero, however, as other conditions such as malnutrition, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alcoholism, and chronic kidney disease are identifiable predisposing conditions for SHS.
Case Description/Methods: A 73-year-old South Asian male with well-controlled asthma and diabetes presented with worsening shortness of breath, cramping abdominal pain, and distension for the past month accompanied by a productive cough and constipation with no bowel movement for the last 4 days. Twenty years earlier, he had emigrated from Bangladesh to his current residence in the northeast United States. Initial exam was notable for wheezing and diffuse, mild abdominal tenderness. Workup showed a leukocytosis with eosinophilic predominance and computed tomography showed a short segment of mural thickening in the sigmoid colon/rectum. Treatment with nebulizers and bowel regimens failed to relieve his symptoms initially. Stool analysis was notable for the presence of rare Strongyloides stercoralis larvae and the patient was started on ivermectin with complete relief of pulmonary and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Discussion: SHS varies widely in symptomatology with gastrointestinal complaints ranging from abdominal pain to vomiting and watery diarrhea.. Strongyloides is unique among intestinal nematodes in its ability to persist in humans for many years. Most cases of infection in diabetics are in those individuals with poor sugar control. Our case appears to be a waning of immunity in a likely chronic, asymptomatic strongyloidiasis patient housing the parasite since emigration from South Asia leading to SHS requiring urgent medical care.
