Opportunistic Strongyloides stercoralis infection in lymphoma patients. Report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal parasite that may cause fatal opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. Herein is reported a patient who developed fatal disseminated strongyloidiasis 6 weeks after the initiation of chemotherapy for a large cell lymphoma of the small intestine. After reviewing the clinical and epidemiologic features of 16 other cases of disseminated strongyloidiasis in patients with malignant lymphomas, the currently available laboratory methods for the diagnosis of this parasite are outlined. Because uncomplicated infections are treatable, candidates for chemotherapy or immunosuppression with a relevant geographic history should be screened for S. stercoralis prior to the initiation of the treatment. Copyright © 1989 American Cancer Society