Nine cases of strongyloidiasis in Korea

Abstract

Nine cases of human infection with Strongyloides stercoralis are reported among patients admitted to the Seoul Paik and Sang-Kye Paik Hospitals, Inje University, from April 1990 to January 1992. The patients, 7 males and 2 females aged between 50 and 70, either had the history of long term use of steroids for management of arthritis, or were complicated with other chronic diseases such as hypertension, liver diseases, psychotic disorders, and gastrointestinal problems. All of the nine patients revealed rhabditoid larvae of S. stercoralis in fecal examination. A 57-year-old woman who complained of arthritis and abdominal discomfort, was treated with albendazole and mebendazole, and on the 4th and 5th treatment day 220 parasitic adult females were collected from the diarrheal stool. The patient had a long history of administration of steroids for treatment of arthritis, and seems to have suffered from hyperinfection syndrome due to autoinfection with S. stercoralis. This is the 3rd report on the recovery of parasitic adult females of S. stercoralis in Korea.

A case of gastric strongyloidiasis in a Korean patient

“…stercoralis is a common parasite of the intestinal tract, especially in tropical and subtropical areas (Genta, 1989;Siddiqui and Berk, 2001). In Korea, it has a low prevalence and several authors have occasionally reported it's presence on stool examination (Lee et al, 1994;Hong and Han, 1999). Excluding some papers published during the period of Josun Colonial Government, total 36 cases of human strongyloidiasis since 1945 have been recorded in the literature.…”

Pulmonary Strongyloidiasis Masquerading as Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…In general, there is a low prevalence of Strongyloides infections in Korea as only few cases have been reported. Majority of reported cases belong to gastrointestinal strongyloidiasis 12 13 14 . A case of gastrointestinal hyperinfection with Strongyloides was confirmed by examination of gastric biopsy and gastroduodenal aspirate in an elderly lady receiving corticosteroid for arthritis 15 .…”

Strongyloidiasis associated with amebiasis and giardiaisis in an immunocompetent boy presented with acute abdomen

“…Many individuals infected with SS are asymptomatic (Burke, 1978). Strongyloidiasis can occur in situations causing immunocompromisation, such as hematologic malignancies, usage of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive therapies, HIV infection and malnutrition (Burke, 1978;Lee SK et al, 1994;Daubenton et al, 1998). If an immunocompromised individual is infected with SS, severe hyperinfection or disseminated disease with a high mortality rate could develop (Graeff-Teixeira et al, 1997).…”

“…Direct microscopic identification is difficult but rhabditiform larvae of SS may be differentiated from the others with characteristic features. The rhabditiform larvae measuring 300-350 µm, has short buccal cavity, hourglass-shaped esophagus and prominent genital primordium in the mid-section of the larvae (Lee SK et al, 1994;Graeff-Teixeira et al, 1997;Katz, 1999). Investigation of SS in duodenal fluid obtained by esophagogastroduodenoscopy, culture or mucosal biopsy is an option (Bannon et al, 1995).…”