The West Virginia medical journal
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Review Case Reports
Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome complications: a case report and review of the literature.
Strongyloidiasis is a major global health challenge that is often underestimated in many countries. In immuno-compromised hosts, an autoinfection can go unchecked with large numbers of invasive Strongyloides larvae disseminating widely and causing hyperinfection, with fatal consequences. This review will highlight a case of gram negative bacteremia complicated by meningitis and Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) as a fatal outcome of Strongyloides hyperinfection, commonly known to occur in the setting of immunosuppression. ⋯ The clinical course continued to deteriorate with the development of significant neurological dysfunction. Poor nutritional state and ventilator associated pneumonia contributed to this downward trend. After a detailed discussion with the family, life support was discontinued and the patient succumbed to her illness.