Strongyloides stercoralis: A Neglected but Fatal Parasite
Issued Date
2022-10-01
Resource Type
eISSN
24146366
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85140909418
Journal Title
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
Volume
7
Issue
10
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Vol.7 No.10 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Luvira V., Siripoon T., Phiboonbanakit D., Somsri K., Watthanakulpanich D., Dekumyoy P. Strongyloides stercoralis: A Neglected but Fatal Parasite. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Vol.7 No.10 (2022). doi:10.3390/tropicalmed7100310 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/84888
Title
Strongyloides stercoralis: A Neglected but Fatal Parasite
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis is a disease caused by Strongyloides stercoralis and remains a neglected tropical infection despite significant public health concerns. Challenges in the management of strongyloidiasis arise from wide ranging clinical presentations, lack of practical high sensitivity diagnostic tests, and a fatal outcome in immunocompromised hosts. Migration, globalization, and increased administration of immunomodulators, particularly during the COVID-19 era, have amplified the global impact of strongyloidiasis. Here, we comprehensively review the diagnostic tests, clinical manifestations, and treatment of strongyloidiasis. The review additionally focuses on complicated strongyloidiasis in immunocompromised patients and critical screening strategies. Diagnosis of strongyloidiasis is challenging because of non-specific presentations and low parasite load. In contrast, treatment is simple: administration of single dosage ivermectin or moxidectin, a recent anthelmintic drug. Undiagnosed infections result in hyperinfection syndrome and disseminated disease when patients become immunocompromised. Thus, disease manifestation awareness among clinicians is crucial. Furthermore, active surveillance and advanced diagnostic tests are essential for fundamental management.