Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome after liver transplantation: case report and literature review

Transpl Infect Dis. 2009 Apr;11(2):132-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2008.00350.x. Epub 2008 Oct 8.

Abstract

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that causes human infections and whose life cycle has special features, including autoinfection. Strongyloides infection may be asymptomatic for years, owing to a low parasite load. During immunosuppressive therapy, however, if cellular immunity is depressed, autoinfection can occur at a higher rate, resulting in hyperinfection syndrome. In this specific circumstance, it can become a fatal illness. We describe a case of hyperinfection syndrome in a liver transplant recipient and also review the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy
  • Postoperative Complications / parasitology*
  • Recurrence
  • Strongyloides stercoralis*
  • Strongyloidiasis / diagnosis
  • Strongyloidiasis / drug therapy
  • Strongyloidiasis / etiology*
  • Superinfection / diagnosis
  • Superinfection / drug therapy
  • Superinfection / etiology*

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Immunosuppressive Agents