Strongyloides Hyperinfection Syndrome Following Corticosteroid Therapy in a Patient with COVID-19 infection: A Case Report

Babazadeh, Sara; Shokri-Shirvani, Javad; Ranaee, Mohammad

doi:10.30699/ijmm.16.3.267

year 16, Issue 3 (May - June 2022) Iran J Med Microbiol 2022, 16(3): 267-270 | Back to browse issues page

‎ 10.30699/ijmm.16.3.267

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Babazadeh S, Shokri-Shirvani J, Ranaee M. Strongyloides Hyperinfection Syndrome Following Corticosteroid Therapy in a Patient with COVID-19 infection: A Case Report. Iran J Med Microbiol 2022; 16 (3) :267-270
URL: http://ijmm.ir/article-1-1484-en.html

Strongyloides Hyperinfection Syndrome Following Corticosteroid Therapy in a Patient with COVID-19 infection: A Case Report

Sara Babazadeh¹

, Javad Shokri-Shirvani²

, Mohammad Ranaee³

1- Department of Pathology, Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
2- Department of Internal Medicine, Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
3- Department of Pathology, Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran , m.ranaee1355@gmail.com

Abstract: (2556 Views)

Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) is a helminth, which infects humans widely in tropical and subtropical countries. This parasitic infestation usually does not produce symptoms in humans; however, severe and life-threatening forms of this infection can occur in immunocompromised individuals. Patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with concurrent immunosuppressive therapy are at risk of developing Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome (SHS). We present a 70-year-old male with a history of high-dose dexamethasone therapy due to severe COVID-19 who was referred to our hospital with chest discomfort, nausea, and anorexia. Histological assessment of the gastric and duodenal mucosae revealed numerous eggs and filariform larvae of S. stercoralis indicative of SHS. Ivermectin and albendazole were administered to the patient. Following the treatment, the patient's symptoms improved. Clinicians must be aware of the risk of SHS, especially in S. stercoralis endemic countries before and during corticosteroid therapy for COVID-19 because early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly reduce mortality in these patients.

Keywords: COVID-19, Immunosuppression, Steroids, Strongyloides stercoralis

Full-Text [PDF 415 kb] (1086 Downloads) | | Full-Text (HTML) (1026 Views)

Type of Study: Case report Article | Subject: Medical Parasitology
Received: 2021/09/14 | Accepted: 2022/02/13 | ePublished: 2022/03/20

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