| Strongyloidiasis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Micrograph showing strongyloidiasis; a fragment of a worm is seen in the lower right hand corner. H&E stain. | |
| Specialty | Infectious diseases, helminthologist  |
| Symptoms | abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, itching and rash |
| Complications | Hyperinfection syndrome |
| Causes | Strongyloides stercoralis |
| Risk factors | Immunocompromisation |
| Diagnostic method | Serology, stool tests |
| Treatment | Ivermectin |
Strongyloidiasis is a human parasitic disease caused by the nematode called Strongyloides stercoralis, or sometimes the closely related S. fülleborni. These helminths belong to a group of nematodes called roundworms. These intestinal worms can cause a number of symptoms in people, principally skin symptoms, abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss, but also many other specific and vague symptoms in disseminated disease, and severe life-threatening conditions through hyperinfection. In some people, particularly those who require corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication, Strongyloides can cause a hyperinfection syndrome that can lead to death if untreated. The diagnosis is made by blood and stool tests. The medication ivermectin is widely used to treat strongyloidiasis.
Strongyloidiasis is a type of soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Low estimates postulate it to affect 30–100 million people worldwide,[1] mainly in tropical and subtropical countries, while higher estimates conservatively extrapolate that infection is upwards to or above 370 million people.[2] It belongs to the group of neglected tropical diseases, and worldwide efforts are aimed at eradicating the infection.[3]