Strongyloidiasis
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Synopsis
S stercoralis follows a complicated life cycle; after skin penetration, larvae migrate through the body and eventually reach the intestine where they either develop into adult nematodes and lay eggs or remain as infective larvae. The eggs are excreted in stool and the larvae migrate to the perianal skin and cause the cutaneous manifestations. Autoinfection may also occur, whereby the larvae migrate to the lungs, are coughed up and swallowed, and re-infect the intestinal tract.
The infection may remain quiescent for years and it is commonly asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals. Acute infection may present with GI or pulmonary symptoms, if any. Symptoms of chronic infection may be specific (larva currens) or nonspecific (chronic abdominal pain, intermittent diarrhea, chronic urticaria / angioedema, nausea, constipation, coughing / wheezing, prurigo nodularis, or rarely, reactive arthritis).
Larva currens is an urticarial, pruritic, and sometimes painful eruption that starts at the perianal area and spreads quickly to involve the buttocks, thighs, and abdomen. It appears as 1 or more linear or serpiginous erythematous plaques. Each linear plaque extends at a rate of 5-15 cm/hr, hence the name larva currens. Larva currens lasts hours to days but may recur in the setting of autoinfection.
In immunocompromised patients, hyperinfection syndrome may occur, resulting in massive worm burden, which causes organ invasion, sepsis or septic shock, meningitis associated with intestinal bacteria, and death (70%-90% mortality rate). Hyperinfection syndrome manifests as "thumbprint purpura:" rapidly progressing purpura, including retiform purpura and petechiae that radiate out from the periumbilical area. This is caused by dermal invasion of large numbers of larvae that results in vascular occlusion.
Immunocompromised patients who are especially susceptible to hyperinfection include those on concurrent systemic corticosteroids or vincristine, those with AIDS, malnutrition, hematologic malignancy, solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, or human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection. Transplant recipients with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are at an especially high risk due to concurrent corticosteroid treatment of GVHD.
Risk factors include gardening, farming, having a psychiatric illness / being a long-term psychiatric patient (poor sanitation and pica), travel to hyperendemic areas, low socioeconomic status, being a prisoner of war, and walking barefoot outdoors. There are also multiple reports of transmission from an infected donor organ.
Symptoms may persist for weeks to decades and may be frequent or lie quiescent for months at a time. The longest documented infection is 65 years.
Codes
ICD10CM:B78.1 – Cutaneous strongyloidiasis
SNOMEDCT:
240855004 – Cutaneous strongyloidiasis
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
Larva currens- Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM), also known as "creeping eruption," is caused by hookworm infection, usually occurs on the distal lower extremities, and often has a vesicular component. Unlike strongyloidiasis, the lesions of CLM only migrate 1-2 cm per day.
- Dermographism
- Gnathostomiasis occurs most commonly in Southeast Asia and may be furuncular at times.
- Migratory myiasis causes wider lesions, migrates slowly, and often becomes furuncular.
- Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
- Meningococcemia or other bacterial sepsis
- Other causes of retiform purpura: thrombophilias, including the antiphospholipid syndrome, coumadin or heparin necrosis; cocaine levamisole toxicity; granulomatosis with polyangiitis; eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis; polyarteritis nodosa
- Traumatic ecchymoses
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:06/18/2018
Last Updated:06/30/2022
Last Updated:06/30/2022
Patient Information for Strongyloidiasis
Overview
Strongyloidiasis is a disease caused by the parasite Strongyloides, which is a roundworm, or nematode. The infection can be found worldwide but it is most commonly found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions, including the southeastern United States. It is transmitted to humans through contact with infected soil, usually through bare feet. When the larvae come into contact with the skin, they penetrate it and find their way to the intestines, where they lay their eggs.Healthy individuals may experience mild or no symptoms, or symptoms may include stomach pain and diarrhea. If the parasite travels to the intestine via the lungs, cough and wheezing may be present. Patients may also get an itchy rash, usually on the buttocks or trunk, and red/purple bruise-like patches on the skin.
For those with compromised immune systems, hyperinfection can cause life-threatening bacteremia, meningitis, endocarditis, or sepsis.
Who’s At Risk
Risk factors include:- Gardening
- Farming
- Exposure in tropical or temperate climates
- Walking barefoot outside
- Poor sanitation in living conditions
Signs & Symptoms
Most people experience no symptoms. Those who develop symptoms often experience:- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea and constipation
- Dry cough or wheezing
- Rashes
Those who develop hyperinfection may experience:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Unintentional weight loss
- Red/purple bruise-like patches on the skin
Hyperinfection may lead to life-threatening bacterial conditions such as bacteremia, meningitis, endocarditis, or sepsis. It is most common in people with already compromised immune systems.
Self-Care Guidelines
To prevent infection, wear shoes when walking on soil and maintain proper fecal and sewage management.When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if you believe you are infected with the parasite. See symptoms above.Treatments
Your health care provider may prescribe medication such as ivermectin, an anti-parasitic prescription medicine, to kill the parasite.Strongyloidiasis