ABSTRACT

Strongyloides stercoralis is endemic in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. It is a soil-transmitted intestinal nematode affecting anywhere from 30 to 100 million people worldwide. Strongyloides stercoralis is capable of causing autoinfection, which increases larval migration and proliferation in the host. This condition may lead to hyperinfection syndrome which has the potential to cause serious lifethreatening complications, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Thus, Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome should be suspected if there are clinical clues including gastrointestinal tract symptoms (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), respiratory tract symptoms (cough, dyspnoea, wheezing, haemoptysis), skin symptoms (pruritus, erythema) and peripheral eosinophilia in a patient with underlying risk factors. Herein, we report a case of Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome in a patient with Behçet’s Disease on immunosuppressive treatment. (Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2013; 37: 139-42)

Keywords: Asthma, Behçet's hisease, eosinophilia, immunosuppressive treatment, Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome