Complicated and fatal Strongyloides infection in Canadians: risk factors, diagnosis and management

CMAJ. 2004 Aug 31;171(5):479-84. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.1031698.

Abstract

Strongyloidiasis, which is caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis, is a common and persistent infection, particularly in developing countries. In the setting of compromised cellular immunity, it can result in fulminant dissemination with case-fatality rates of over 70%. The majority of new Canadian immigrants come from countries where Strongyloides is highly endemic; therefore, the burden of Strongyloides may be underappreciated in Canada. Because early diagnosis and therapy can have a marked impact on disease outcome, screening for this infection should be considered mandatory for patients who have a history of travel or residence in a disease-endemic area and risk factors for disseminated disease (e.g., corticosteroid use and human T-lymphotropic virus type I infection).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Strongyloides / isolation & purification
  • Strongyloidiasis / complications*
  • Strongyloidiasis / diagnosis
  • Strongyloidiasis / drug therapy
  • Strongyloidiasis / mortality*