Strongyloidiasis in Transplant Patients

Overview

Journal Clin Infect Dis

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2009 Oct 8

PMID 19807271

Citations 71

Authors

Alison C Roxby

Geoffrey S Gottlieb

Ajit P Limaye

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that can persist in the human host for decades after the initial infection and can progress to fulminant hyperinfection syndrome in immunocompromised hosts. We describe a patient who died of Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome 2 months after orthotopic heart transplantation and discuss approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Current practice guidelines recommend screening for and treatment of Strongyloides infection before transplantation, but physicians in the United States often miss opportunities to identify patients with chronic strongyloidiasis. Screening tests have limitations, and clinical suspicion remains an important component of the evaluation before transplantation. After immunocompromised patients develop hyperinfection syndrome, diagnosis is often delayed and mortality is high, so emphasis must be placed on screening and treatment before transplantation. We review current strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic intestinal strongyloidiasis in patients who will undergo transplantation and discuss the clinical features and management of Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome in transplant recipients.

Citing Articles

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A 5-year single-center review of seropositivity in kidney transplant candidates in Central Texas.

Telchik C, Snellings R, Tran P, Negron-Diaz J, Edwards A, Cahuayme-Zuniga L Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2025; 38(1):21-25.

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Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion secondary to disseminated strongyloidiasis in a kidney transplant recipient: A case report.

Tang M, Peng Q, Hu B, Tang M, Shen L, Huo W Heliyon. 2024; 10(13):e33978.

PMID: 39071586 PMC: 11282975. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33978.

Persistent fever after coronavirus disease 2019 in liver/kidney transplant recipient.

Mullis C, Heldman M, Bahr N, Minamoto G, Puius Y, Malinis M Transpl Infect Dis. 2024; 26(3):e14271.

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Massive Airway Bleeding Caused by Pulmonary Strongyloidiasis in a Patient with a Transplanted Kidney.

Zhu L, Zhang H, Fang J, Xiao S, Xiong F, Deng C Int Med Case Rep J. 2024; 17:1-7.

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