Strongyloides stercoralis

Paul G. Auwaerter, M.D.
Strongyloides stercoralis is a topic covered in the Johns Hopkins ABX Guide.

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MICROBIOLOGY

  • Helminthic parasite, common worldwide but especially in warmer climes.
    • S. stercoralis is the major pathogen.
    • S. fuelleborni occasional human pathogen, described in Papua New Guinea and Africa.
  • Larvae live in soil. Human infection by contact with contaminated soil.
  • Filariform larvae penetrate skin and enter lymphatics → lung alveoli.
    • Migration from lung to trachea to GI tract/small intestine.
    • Females yield to parthenogenic reproduction with eggs that turn to rhabditiform larvae within the intestine.
    • Cycle yields long-term infection in humans (years-decades, may be considered lifelong).
  • Immunosuppression can yield increased organisms by result of auto-infection → hyperinfection [see life cycle Fig. 1], a potentially fatal condition.
  • Larvae are typically seen ~1 month after exposure.

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Last updated: May 30, 2016