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Strongyloidiasis
Medical Questions » Strongyloidiasis
| Name: Strongyloidiasis |
| Also known as: |
| Infestation of the human by the tiny 2 mm. long worm Strongyloides stercorals. |
Causes of Strongyloidiasis
Strongyloides can live freely in moist soil or its larvae may penetrate the skin of a human, enter the bloodstream, pass through the heart into the lungs, and pass from the blood into the air passages of the lung. From there it moves up into the throat, is swallowed and develops into an adult worm, which then produces eggs which pass out with the feces and contaminate the soil. The eggs may also hatch into larvae in the intestine and these larvae can penetrate the bowel wall to enter the blood and reinfect the host human. There are no male and female worms, only a single asexual form. Found throughout the tropics. |
Symptoms of Strongyloidiasis
Many patients have no or minimal symptoms. In long standing or severe cases symptoms may include itchy buttocks and wrists, raised rashes, belly pains, nausea, diarrhoea and weight loss. |
Tests for Strongyloidiasis
Diagnosed by finding the eggs or worms in the feces or by a specific blood test. |
Treatment for Strongyloidiasis
Appropriate medication can eradicate the infestation.
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Complications of Strongyloidiasis of its treatment
Rarely in long standing cases the larvae may invade the liver, kidney and brain. |
Likely Outcome of Strongyloidiasis
A cure can be expected in most cases. See also Worm Infestations. |
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