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Revista Cubana de Medicina Tropical
Print version ISSN 0375-0760On-line version ISSN 1561-3054
Abstract
GONZALEZ MAESTREY, Alba; MARTINEZ ALMEIDA, Emilio and NUNEZ FERNANDEZ, Fidel Ángel. Chronic strongyloidiasis and extended use of corticoids. Rev Cubana Med Trop [online]. 2016, vol.68, n.3, pp.255-261. ISSN 0375-0760.
The infection caused by Strongyloides stercoralis may remain asymptomatic or with slight symptoms in humans for decades. However, immunocompromised patients, particulary those receiving long-term steroid therapy, may face hyperinfection resulting in high mortality rates. The objective was to present the first report in Cuba about a patient with chronic strongyloidiasis associated to use of oral steroids. Here is a 63 years-old asthmatic woman, who showed chronic strongyloidiasis symptoms and hyperinfection risk due to the long-term use of oral steroids. The symptoms and physical examination were described as well as various diagnostic tests. Predisposing factors for the onset and development of the disease were discussed. Laboratory diagnosis confirmed the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis rabditoid larvae in the patient's feces. Although there has been evidence of fatal cases with chronic strongyloidiasis associated with long-term use of steroids in the international literature, such reports are rare in Cuba. Additionally, it is likely that timely diagnosis and treatment have contributed to avoid fatal complications in this patient.
Keywords : strongyloidiasis; steroids.