Strongyloidiasis - a parasitic worm infection – is estimated to affect millions of people and is associated with marginalized communities who often walk barefoot. Cases of strongyloidiasis hyperinfection in the setting of corticosteroid use as COVID-19 therapy have been described1,2 and draw attention to the necessity of addressing the risk of iatrogenic strongyloidiasis hyperinfection syndrome in infected individuals prior to corticosteroid administration. Humans acquire the infection via contact with contaminated soil when larvae penetrate the skin and then migrate to the intestine. In addition to pharmacological immunosuppression, co-infection with human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), another common tropical/subtropical chronic infection, increases the risk of hyperinfection. Diagnosis and management of suspected or established strongyloidiasis hyperinfection system should be discussed with an expert.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 17, 2020 11:55 UTC