Strongyloidiasis: a Review and Update by Case Example
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CLINICAL PRACTICE Strongyloidiasis: A Review and Update by Case Example KATHERINE GREINER, JOSEPH BETTENCOURT, CAROLE SEMOLIC A 77-year-old female immigrant from South America Joseph Bettencourt PhD is associate professor, Department of presented with epigastric pain, diarrhea, gastrointestinal Biology (Parasitology, Immunology, Anatomy), Marist College, bleeding, malabsorption, and acid reflux disorder. A Poughkeepsie NY. gastroduodenoscopy, performed to assess for peptic ulcer disease, revealed parasitic larvae in the duodenal mucosa Carole Semolic MT is medical technologist, Microbiology which were subsequently identified as Strongyloides stercoralis Department, St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh NY. Downloaded from rhabditiform larvae. Anti-helminthic therapy was initiated to resolve infection. Address for correspondence: Katherine Greiner MS MT (ASCP), associate professor, Department of Medical Laboratory OBJECTIVES: Review the pathogenesis, diagnosis and Sciences (Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Immunology/Immu- treatment of strongyloidiasis; alert laboratory professionals nohematology), Marist College, DN 228, 3399 North Road, http://hwmaint.clsjournal.ascls.org/ to the importance of early detection of Strongyloides stercoralis Poughkeepsie NY 12601. (845) 575-3000, ext. 2505, (845) in specimens from immigrants at risk and immunodeficient 575-3184 (fax). [email protected]. patients to reduce morbidity and mortality. CASE HISTORY ABBREVIATIONS: AIDS = acquired immunodeficiency A 77-year-old female immigrant from South America syndrome; EIA = enzyme immunoassay; HIV = human sought medical attention at a hospital clinic due to immunodeficiency virus; HTLV-1 = human T-cell lym- epigastric pain and diarrhea. She was diagnosed with photropic virus type 1; IgE = immunoglobulin E; IgG = gastrointestinal bleeding, malabsorption, and acid reflux immunoglobulin G. disorder coupled with possible ulceration of the esophagus. A gastroduodenoscopy was performed to determine if INDEX TERMS: hyperinfection; immunodeficiency disor- she had peptic ulcer disease. Recommendations for stool on September 28 2021 ders; rhabditiform larvae; strongyloidiasis. analysis were made based on the histopathology findings. Clin Lab Sci 2008;21(2):82 LABORATORY RESULTS Biopsies of the small intestine and esophageal-gastric junction Katherine Greiner MS MT (ASCP) is associate professor, were taken. The mucosa of the small intestine was hyperemic Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences (Clinical Micro- and characterized by areas of acute or chronic inflammation. biology, Clinical Immunology/Immunohematology), Marist The gastric mucosa of the fundus also was hyperemic and had College, Poughkeepsie NY. focal areas of mild, nonspecific, chronic inflammation. Focal metaplasia, suggestive of Barrett’s esophagus, was seen in the esophageal mucosa. There was no evidence of ulceration, granuloma formation, or malignancy. The peer-reviewed Clinical Practice Section seeks to publish case stud- Cross-sections of structures resembling parasitic larvae were ies, reports, and articles that are immediately useful, are of a practical prominent in the duodenal histologic preparations. Subse- nature, or contain information that could lead to improvement in the quent stool analysis confirmed that these forms in sectioned quality of the clinical laboratory’s contribution to patient care, includ- tissue were Strongyloides stercoralis larvae. The larvae were ing brief reviews of books, computer programs, audiovisual materials, observed in the mucosal region of the duodenum, within or other materials of interest to readers. Direct all inquiries to Berna- the lumen of the crypts of Lieberkuhn (Figure 1). Typically, dette Rodak MS CLS(NCA), Clin Lab Sci Clinical Practice Editor, the crypts are invaded by juvenile or adult forms of Stron- Clinical Laboratory Science Program, Indiana University, Clarian gyloides stercoralis. Pathology Laboratory, 350 West 11th Street, 6002F, Indianapolis IN 46202. [email protected] 82 VOL 21, NO 2 SPRING 2008 CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE CLINICAL PRACTICE Three stools for ova and parasite studies were submitted movement from the lungs to the respiratory airways causes to the laboratory the following week. Trichrome stains on irritation. Juveniles are coughed up to the pharynx and then smears prepared from stool concentrates on all three speci- swallowed, eventually lodging in the intestine. Lung migra- mens were negative for protozoa but revealed Strongyloides tion is unnecessary if juveniles in food or water are directly stercoralis rhabditiform larvae. Two fecal smears had many swallowed and conveyed to the small intestine. larvae present while the third showed only a few. In the small intestine filariform larvae molt twice, developing A diagnosis of strongyloidiasis was made on the basis of into adult female parasites (2 mm-3 mm). Females anchor rhabditiform larval morphology. Larvae were characterized by into the intestinal mucosa with their mouths or thread their a short buccal cavity, a sharply pointed tail, and the presence anterior ends into the submucosa. They produce several of a noticeable midsection genital primordium. Strongyloides dozen, thin-shelled eggs per day through parthenogenesis. ova are a rare finding in fecal smears and were not seen on Downloaded from the slides reviewed. Eggs are released into the intestinal lumen or submucosa and hatch during transit through the gut or while in the LIFE CYCLE submucosa. Juveniles escaping from the eggs develop into Strongyloides stercoralis is a member of the order Rhabditida first stage larvae called rhabditiform larvae (300μm -380 μm) which includes tiny round worms which bridge the gap be- which are passed from feces to soil. The rhabditiform larvae http://hwmaint.clsjournal.ascls.org/ tween free-living and parasitic modes of life. Within this or- become infective third-stage filariform larvae after two more der, Strongyloides stercoralis is the most common, widespread stages of development in soil and are capable of infecting a species of medical importance in humans and other primates new host if directly contacted or ingested. but also infects other mammals like dogs and cats. Autoinfection can occur and represents a permutation of Humans acquire strongyloidiasis through soil, food, or water the life cycle. If first stage juveniles molt twice during transit contaminated with infectious larvae. Invasive third-stage, fi- down the intestinal tract, they become infective filariform lariform larvae (490μm-630 μm) can directly penetrate skin larvae that can penetrate the lower gut mucosa (internal from soil or be ingested in contaminated food or water (Figure autoinfection) or perianal skin (external autoinfection) 2).The site of skin entry is usually exposed areas on the hands, and begin migration to the lungs and up the respiratory feet, and buttocks. Invasive juveniles that burrow into the skin tree to the pharynx, ultimately returning to the small in- on September 28 2021 are transported to the lungs by the bloodstream, where they testine. Autoinfection occurs at a significant rate in states migrate from pulmonary capillaries to alveolar spaces. Upward of immunosupression and appears to contribute to the life-threatening hyperinfections seen in individuals with immunocompromising illness. Whether by continuance of adult worms in the small intestine or by autoinfection, some cases of strongyloidiasis have resulted in persistent infection Figure 1. Strongyloides stercoralis rhabditiform larva lasting for decades. in the lumen of a crypt of Lieberkuhn. 430X In the free-living life cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis, rhab- ditiform larvae can molt to the fourth stage of development in soil, maturing into free-living adult males and females. Adult worms mate, resulting in egg release from which new rhabditiform larvae emerge. These hatched larvae then either develop into free-living adult worms or into filariform larvae that infect humans. SYMPTOMS Disease severity varies in strongyloidiasis. Numerous cases originating in endemic areas are chronic and asymptomatic when immunocompetency exists. Some individuals are evalu- ated for parasitosis on the basis of unexplained eosinophilia VOL 21, NO 2 SPRING 2008 CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE 83 CLINICAL PRACTICE only. The more complex cases are characterized by symptom- Pulmonary migration phases are associated with cough- atology resulting from higher numbers of parasites in skin, ing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, symptoms which lung, and gastrointestinal tissue. may lead to a diagnosis of asthma and treatment with steroid-based medications that potentiate more extensive Dermatologic involvement at filariform points of entry is parasite invasion. manifested by a migrating, urticarial, erythematous rash, termed larva currens. Larva currens occurs more often in Epigastric pain and abdominal tenderness, along with bloating, the skin of the buttocks, groin, and trunk than that of the nausea, anorexia, and diarrhea are general signs of gastrointes- extremities. Eruptions may be particularly prominent in tinal invasion. A potentially fatal outcome is associated with perianal sites where the external autoinfection cycle begins. massive hyperinfection due to autoinfection cycles. Compli- Downloaded from Figure 2. Life cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis http://hwmaint.clsjournal.ascls.org/ on September 28 2021 CDC Public Health Image Library, ID#: 3419. Available from http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/home.asp. Content providers: CDC/Alexander J. da Silva,