Hyperinfection by <i>Strongyloides stercoralis</i>: Series of Cases in a Regional Hospital in Southern Spain

Background: Strongyloidiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis. In immunosuppressed patients, it may progress to hyperinfection syndrome (HIS) and disseminated strongyloidiasis (DS), both of which are associated with high mortality rates. We reviewed ca...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Lucas-Dato, A, Hernández-Rabadán, MD, Arroyo, PLB, Llenas-García, J
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunitat Valenciana (FISABIO)
Repositorio:r-FISABIO. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica
OAI Identifier:oai:fisabio.fundanetsuite.com:p18464
Acceso en línea:https://fisabio.portalinvestigacion.com/publicaciones/18464
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:<italic>Strongyloides stercoralis</italic>
hyperinfection
disseminated strongyloidiasis
case series
Descripción
Sumario:Background: Strongyloidiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis. In immunosuppressed patients, it may progress to hyperinfection syndrome (HIS) and disseminated strongyloidiasis (DS), both of which are associated with high mortality rates. We reviewed cases of HIS and DS in a Spanish hospital located in an area with endemic strongyloidiasis. Methods: All of the patients who met the HIS or DIS criteria between 1999 and 2023 at the Vega Baja Hospital in Orihuela (Alicante, Spain) were included. Results: Five patients were identified, four of them autochthonous (median age 72 years, 80% male), with three cases of HIS and two cases of DS in the form of meningitis, due to E. faecalis and E. coli. The most common risk factor, observed in three patients, was corticosteroid use. Two patients died. Conclusions: This case series highlights the severity of infections in immunocompromised patients in an endemic area of Spain, emphasizing the need to establish screening protocols for patients at risk of immunosuppression, including both locals and migrants.