Strongyloides stercoralis: Difference between revisions

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Strongyloides stercoralis
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==Background==
βˆ’
* Commonly known as '''threadworm'''
 
   
  +
*Commonly known as '''threadworm'''
βˆ’
= Microbiology =
 
   
βˆ’
= Life Cycle =
+
===Life Cycle===
   
  +
*Eggs are released in the small intestine, then hatch to release '''rhabditiform larvae'''
βˆ’
[[File:Strongyloides_LifeCycle2015.gif|Strongyloides stercoralis]]
 
  +
*The rhabditiform larvae are excreted, where they molt and develop into infective '''filariform larvae''' or into '''free-living adult''' males and females
  +
**Free-living adults mate and produce rhabditiform larvae
  +
**Rhabditiform larvae can also develop into filariform larvae within the large bowel, then perforate through the bowel or rectal mucosa and enter the venous blood supply to complete an autoinnoculation cycle
  +
*Filariform larvae enter humans often through the feet, get into venous blood, then to lungs, then migrate up bronchi and are swallowed
  +
**18 to 28 days after initial infection, they enter the small bowel
  +
*In the small bowel, adult female begins releasing eggs through parthogenesis (no male needed)
   
  +
===Epidemiology===
βˆ’
* Eggs are released in the small intestine, then hatch to release '''rhabditiform larvae'''
 
βˆ’
* The rhabditiform larvae are excreted, where they molt and develop into infective '''filariform larvae''' or into '''free-living adult''' males and females
 
βˆ’
** Free-living adults mate and produce rhabditiform larvae
 
βˆ’
** Rhabditiform larvae can also develop into filariform larvae within the large bowel, then perforate through the bowel or rectal mucosa and enter the venous blood supply to complete an autoinnoculation cycle
 
βˆ’
* Filariform larvae enter humans often through the feet, get into venous blood, then to lungs, then migrate up bronchi and are swallowed
 
βˆ’
** 18 to 28 days after initial infection, they enter the small bowel
 
βˆ’
* In the small bowel, adult female begins releasing eggs through parthogenesis (no male needed)
 
   
  +
*Endemic in the tropics, especially Jamaica, Haiti, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the beaches of western Africa
βˆ’
= Epidemiology =
 
  +
*Endemicity by region
  +
**Highly endemic areas include Southeast Asia, Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and the Caribbean
  +
**Moderately endemic areas include Mediterranean countries, Middle East, North Africa, the Indian sub-continent, and Asia
  +
**Non-endemic areas include Australia, North America, and Western Europe
  +
***However, it may still be endemic in Florida, Kentucky, and Virginia, and among Aboriginal Australians
  +
*Seroprevalence by country of origin among migrants[[CiteRef::asundi2019pr]]
  +
**East Asia and the Pacific (17.3%), sub-Saharan Africa (14.6%), Latin America and the Caribbean (11.4%) were highest
  +
**Middle East and north Africa (5.5%), South Asia (4.9%)
  +
**Eastern Europe and central Asia (0%)
  +
*Has been transmitted through organ donation
  +
*Infections can last years or decades
   
  +
===Risk Factors for Severe Disease===
βˆ’
* Endemic in the tropics, especially Jamaica, Haiti, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the beaches of western Africa
 
βˆ’
* May still be endemic in Appalachia, southeastern US, Europe, Australia, and Japan
 
βˆ’
* Has been transmitted through organ donation
 
βˆ’
* Infections can last years or decades
 
   
  +
*Immune suppression
βˆ’
= Risk factors =
 
  +
**[[Prednisone]] β‰₯20 mg/day for β‰₯2 weeks (but actually, '''even one dose''')
  +
**Immunomodulatory agents, including alkylating agents, antimetabolites, immunosuppression for [[solid organ transplantation]], immunosuppression for [[multiple sclerosis]], TNF inhibitors, IL-1 inhibitors, adhesin inhibitors, and lymphocyte depleting agents
  +
**[[Transplantation]]
  +
**[[Hematologic malignancy]]
  +
**[[HTLV-1]]
  +
**'''NOT''' [[HIV]]
  +
*[[Diabetes mellitus]]
  +
*[[Malnutrition]]
  +
*[[Renal failure]]
  +
*Chronic [[alcohol abuse]]
   
  +
==Clinical Presentation==
βˆ’
* Immune suppression
 
  +
===Larva Currens===
βˆ’
** Prednisone ('''even one dose''')
 
βˆ’
** Transplant
 
βˆ’
** Hematologic malignancy
 
βˆ’
** HTLV-1
 
βˆ’
** '''NOT''' HIV
 
βˆ’
* Diabetes mellitus
 
βˆ’
* Malnutrition
 
βˆ’
* Renal failure
 
βˆ’
* Chronic alcohol abuse
 
   
  +
*Itchy linear rash that can be watched spreading over hours (10 cm/h)
βˆ’
= Clinical Presentation =
 
  +
*From intradermal migration of the filariform larva
  +
*Much faster than cutaneous larva migrans (caused by hookworm)
   
  +
===Intestinal Strongyloidiasis===
βˆ’
== Larva currens ==
 
   
  +
*Incubation period is about [[Usual incubation period::2 weeks]]
βˆ’
* Itchy linear rash that can be watched spreading over hours (10 cm/h)
 
  +
*Most are asymptomatic, with or without fluctuating [[eosinophilia]]
βˆ’
* From intradermal migration of the filariform larva
 
  +
**Eosinophilia can be as high as 10-15% of leukocytes
βˆ’
* Much faster than cutaneous larva migrans (caused by hookworm)
 
  +
**Eosinophilia may not be present in immunocompromised patients
  +
*GI symptoms, including weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal or epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting
  +
*Rarely pulmonary symptoms unless COPD
  +
*May have larva currens or non-specific itchy rash, usually perianal
   
  +
===Hyperinfection Syndrome===
βˆ’
== Intestinal strongyloidiasis ==
 
   
  +
*Occurs in immunosuppressed patients, including post-transplant, GVHD, prolonged steroids, TNF-alpha inhibitors, heme malignancies, diabetes, and HTLV-1 infection (but ''not'' HIV)
βˆ’
* Incubation period is about 2 weeks
 
  +
*Still adheres to the usual gut-to-lung-to-gut cycle
βˆ’
* Most are asymptomatic, with or without fluctuating eosinophilia
 
  +
*Polymicrobial bacteremia and infections secondary to colonic mucosal damage
βˆ’
** Eosinophilia can be as high as 10-15% of leukocytes
 
  +
**Usually Gram-negatives, enterococci, and ''Bacteroides''
βˆ’
** Eosinophilia may not be present in immunocompromised patients
 
  +
*Often no eosinophilia (because immunosuppressed)
βˆ’
* GI symptoms, including weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal or epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting
 
βˆ’
* Rarely pulmonary symptoms unless COPD
 
βˆ’
* May have larva currens or non-specific itchy rash, usually perianal
 
   
  +
===Disseminated Strongyloidiasis===
βˆ’
== Hyperinfection syndrome ==
 
   
  +
*Severe hyperinfection with dissemination of the larvae to any organ
βˆ’
* Occurs in immunosuppressed patients, including post-transplant, GVHD, prolonged steroids, TNF-alpha inhibitors, heme malignancies, diabetes, and HTLV-1 infection (but ''not'' HIV)
 
  +
**Not limited to gut and lung, can involve brain, kidneys, liver, etc
βˆ’
* Still adheres to the usual gut-to-lung-to-gut cycle
 
  +
*Characterized by polymicrobial or Gram-negative bacteremia or meningitis and severe sepsis
βˆ’
* Polymicrobial bacteremia and infections secondary to colonic mucosal damage
 
  +
*Usually no eosinophilia
βˆ’
** Usually Gram-negatives, enterococci, and ''Bacteroides''
 
  +
*Mortality is 100% without treatment, about 65% with treatment
βˆ’
* Often no eosinophilia (because immunosuppressed)
 
   
  +
==Diagnosis==
βˆ’
== Disseminated strongyloidiasis ==
 
   
  +
*Stool O&P is 75% sensitive, so it's done three times to improve it to 90%
βˆ’
* Severe hyperinfection with dissemination of the larvae to any organ
 
  +
*Serology can be negative early in disease
βˆ’
* Not limited to gut and lung, can involve brain, kidneys, liver, etc
 
  +
**Usually decreased or negative by 6 to 12 months after treatment
βˆ’
* Usually no eosinophilia
 
  +
*Consider HTLV-1 coinfection
  +
*If unwell, check for larvae in blood, sputum, CSF, and urine
  +
*On colonoscopy, it can mimic ulcerative colitis
   
  +
{| class="wikitable"
βˆ’
= Diagnosis =
 
  +
!Syndrome
  +
!Diagnostic Tests
  +
|-
  +
|asymptomatic Β± eosinophilia
  +
|serology, stool O&P
  +
|-
  +
|simple intestinal disease
  +
|serology and stool O&P
  +
|-
  +
|mild hyperinfection syndrome
  +
|serology, stool and sputum O&P, and agar plate culture
  +
|-
  +
|disseminated strongyloidiasis
  +
|serology, stool, sputum, urine, CSF, and tissue O&P, and agar plate culture
  +
|}
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
!Diagnostic Test
  +
!Appropriate Specimen
  +
|-
  +
|serology
  +
|serum
  +
|-
  +
|stool for ova and parasites
  +
|SAF-preserved stool specimen
  +
|-
  +
|sputum for ova and parasites
  +
|fresh sputum in sterile container
  +
|-
  +
|urine for ova and parasites
  +
|urine in sterile container
  +
|-
  +
|tissue for ova and parasites
  +
|tissue, paraffin-embedded or unprocessed
  +
|-
  +
|CSF for ova and parasites
  +
|CSF in sterile container
  +
|-
  +
|agar plate culture
  +
|any fresh specimen, including fresh stool
  +
|}
   
  +
==Management==
βˆ’
* Stool O&P is 75% sensitive, so it's done three times to improve it to 90%
 
βˆ’
* Serology can be negative early in disease
 
βˆ’
** Usually decreased or negative by 6 to 12 months after treatment
 
βˆ’
* Consider HTLV-1 coinfection
 
βˆ’
* If unwell, check for larvae in blood, sputum, CSF, and urine
 
βˆ’
* On colonoscopy, it can mimic ulcerative colitis
 
   
  +
===Risk Assessment===
βˆ’
= Management =
 
   
  +
*Epidemiologic risk category
βˆ’
* First-line: ivermectin 200 mcg/kg po daily for 2 days
 
  +
**Highly endemic: Birth or residence or long-term travel (6+ months) in southeast Asia, Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and the Caribbean
βˆ’
** Needs special access, as it it a veterinary medication
 
  +
**Moderately endemic: birth or residence or long-term travel in Mediterranean countries, Middle East, North Africa, Indian sub-continent, or Asia
βˆ’
** '''DO NOT''' use if onchocerciasis or loiasis
 
  +
**Non-endemic: birth or residence or long-term travel in Australia, North America, or Western Europe
βˆ’
* Second-line: albendazole 400 mg po BID for 10-14 days, but not as effective
 
  +
*Clinical risk category
βˆ’
* Hyperinfection or dissemination:
 
  +
**Risk factors for disseminated disease: HTLV-1 infection, glucocorticoid therapy 20+ mg/day for 2+ weeks, immunomodulatory agent (alkylating agents, antimetabolites, immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory agents used in the management of solid-organ transplant and multiple sclerosis, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), Interleokin 1 (IL-1) and adhesion blocking agents, lymphocyte depleting agent), or hematologic malignancy
βˆ’
** Stop any immune-supressing medications
 
  +
**No risk factors for disseminated disease: no known defects in cell-mediated immunity
βˆ’
** Ivermectin 200 mcg/kg po daily until stool O&P is negative for 2 weeks
 
  +
*Overall risk assessment
βˆ’
* To confirm eradication, check feces up to 1 year after treatment, and serology 1 to 2 years after treatment
 
  +
**High risk: from highly endemic area and risk factors for disseminated disease
βˆ’
** IgG should decline or serorevert 6 to 12 months after treatment
 
  +
**Moderate risk: from highly endemic area without risk factors for disseminated disease, or from moderately endemic area and risk factor for disseminated disease
βˆ’
** Eosinophilia (if present) should resolve
 
  +
**Low risk: from moderately endemic area without risk factors for disseminated disease
βˆ’
* HTLV-1 coinfection
 
  +
**Very low risk: from non-endemic area
βˆ’
** May need to treat 2 days every 2 weeks to keep suppressed
 
   
  +
=== Management by Risk Category ===
  +
  +
*Asymptomatic disease with or without eosinophilia
  +
**Moderate or high risk: send diagnostic specimens
  +
**Low or very low risk: consider alternative diagnoses
  +
**If from a highly endemic area and immunosuppression cannot wait, consider empiric treatment
  +
*Simple intestinal strongyloidiasis
  +
**High risk: treat empirically
  +
**Moderate and low risk: send diagnostic specimens
  +
**Very low risk: consider alternative diagnoses
  +
*Mild hyperinfection or disseminated disease
  +
**Moderate or high risk: treat empirically
  +
**Low or very low risk: send diagnostic specimens
  +
  +
===Treatment Options===
  +
  +
*First-line: [[ivermectin]] 200 mcg/kg po once, repeated after 2 weeks
  +
**'''DO NOT''' use if [[onchocerciasis]] or [[loiasis]]
  +
**Can be given on day 1 and 2 if timing is an issue, but has higher risk of reinfection from autoinfection
  +
*Second-line: [[albendazole]] 400 mg po BID for 10-14 days, but not as effective
  +
*Hyperinfection or dissemination:
  +
**Stop any immune-supressing medications
  +
**[[Ivermectin]] 200 mcg/kg PO/SC daily plus [[albendazole]] 400 mg PO bid
  +
**Continue until stool O&P is negative for 2 weeks
  +
**Also add empiric antibiotics
  +
*To confirm eradication, check feces up to 1 year after treatment, and serology 1 to 2 years after treatment
  +
**IgG should decline or serorevert 6 to 12 months after treatment
  +
**[[Eosinophilia]] (if present) should resolve
  +
*[[HTLV-1]] coinfection: may need to treat 2 days every 2 weeks to keep suppressed
  +
  +
== Further Reading ==
  +
  +
* CATMAT statement on disseminated strongyloidiasis: Prevention, assessment and management guidelines. ''Can Comm Dis Rep.'' 2016;42:12-19. doi: [https://doi.org/10.14745/ccdr.v42i01a03 10.14745/ccdr.v42i01a03]
  +
* Prevalence of strongyloidiasis and schistosomiasis among migrants: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ''Lancet Global Health''. 2019. doi: [https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30490-X 10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30490-X]
 
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Strongyloides stercoralis''}}
 
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Strongyloides stercoralis''}}
βˆ’
[[Category:Helminths]]
+
[[Category:Nematodes]]

Latest revision as of 15:07, 16 October 2022

Background

  • Commonly known as threadworm

Life Cycle

  • Eggs are released in the small intestine, then hatch to release rhabditiform larvae
  • The rhabditiform larvae are excreted, where they molt and develop into infective filariform larvae or into free-living adult males and females
    • Free-living adults mate and produce rhabditiform larvae
    • Rhabditiform larvae can also develop into filariform larvae within the large bowel, then perforate through the bowel or rectal mucosa and enter the venous blood supply to complete an autoinnoculation cycle
  • Filariform larvae enter humans often through the feet, get into venous blood, then to lungs, then migrate up bronchi and are swallowed
    • 18 to 28 days after initial infection, they enter the small bowel
  • In the small bowel, adult female begins releasing eggs through parthogenesis (no male needed)

Epidemiology

  • Endemic in the tropics, especially Jamaica, Haiti, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the beaches of western Africa
  • Endemicity by region
    • Highly endemic areas include Southeast Asia, Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and the Caribbean
    • Moderately endemic areas include Mediterranean countries, Middle East, North Africa, the Indian sub-continent, and Asia
    • Non-endemic areas include Australia, North America, and Western Europe
      • However, it may still be endemic in Florida, Kentucky, and Virginia, and among Aboriginal Australians
  • Seroprevalence by country of origin among migrants1
    • East Asia and the Pacific (17.3%), sub-Saharan Africa (14.6%), Latin America and the Caribbean (11.4%) were highest
    • Middle East and north Africa (5.5%), South Asia (4.9%)
    • Eastern Europe and central Asia (0%)
  • Has been transmitted through organ donation
  • Infections can last years or decades

Risk Factors for Severe Disease

Clinical Presentation

Larva Currens

  • Itchy linear rash that can be watched spreading over hours (10 cm/h)
  • From intradermal migration of the filariform larva
  • Much faster than cutaneous larva migrans (caused by hookworm)

Intestinal Strongyloidiasis

  • Incubation period is about 2 weeks
  • Most are asymptomatic, with or without fluctuating eosinophilia
    • Eosinophilia can be as high as 10-15% of leukocytes
    • Eosinophilia may not be present in immunocompromised patients
  • GI symptoms, including weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal or epigastric pain, nausea, and vomiting
  • Rarely pulmonary symptoms unless COPD
  • May have larva currens or non-specific itchy rash, usually perianal

Hyperinfection Syndrome

  • Occurs in immunosuppressed patients, including post-transplant, GVHD, prolonged steroids, TNF-alpha inhibitors, heme malignancies, diabetes, and HTLV-1 infection (but not HIV)
  • Still adheres to the usual gut-to-lung-to-gut cycle
  • Polymicrobial bacteremia and infections secondary to colonic mucosal damage
    • Usually Gram-negatives, enterococci, and Bacteroides
  • Often no eosinophilia (because immunosuppressed)

Disseminated Strongyloidiasis

  • Severe hyperinfection with dissemination of the larvae to any organ
    • Not limited to gut and lung, can involve brain, kidneys, liver, etc
  • Characterized by polymicrobial or Gram-negative bacteremia or meningitis and severe sepsis
  • Usually no eosinophilia
  • Mortality is 100% without treatment, about 65% with treatment

Diagnosis

  • Stool O&P is 75% sensitive, so it's done three times to improve it to 90%
  • Serology can be negative early in disease
    • Usually decreased or negative by 6 to 12 months after treatment
  • Consider HTLV-1 coinfection
  • If unwell, check for larvae in blood, sputum, CSF, and urine
  • On colonoscopy, it can mimic ulcerative colitis
Syndrome Diagnostic Tests
asymptomatic Β± eosinophilia serology, stool O&P
simple intestinal disease serology and stool O&P
mild hyperinfection syndrome serology, stool and sputum O&P, and agar plate culture
disseminated strongyloidiasis serology, stool, sputum, urine, CSF, and tissue O&P, and agar plate culture
Diagnostic Test Appropriate Specimen
serology serum
stool for ova and parasites SAF-preserved stool specimen
sputum for ova and parasites fresh sputum in sterile container
urine for ova and parasites urine in sterile container
tissue for ova and parasites tissue, paraffin-embedded or unprocessed
CSF for ova and parasites CSF in sterile container
agar plate culture any fresh specimen, including fresh stool

Management

Risk Assessment

  • Epidemiologic risk category
    • Highly endemic: Birth or residence or long-term travel (6+ months) in southeast Asia, Oceania, sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and the Caribbean
    • Moderately endemic: birth or residence or long-term travel in Mediterranean countries, Middle East, North Africa, Indian sub-continent, or Asia
    • Non-endemic: birth or residence or long-term travel in Australia, North America, or Western Europe
  • Clinical risk category
    • Risk factors for disseminated disease: HTLV-1 infection, glucocorticoid therapy 20+ mg/day for 2+ weeks, immunomodulatory agent (alkylating agents, antimetabolites, immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory agents used in the management of solid-organ transplant and multiple sclerosis, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), Interleokin 1 (IL-1) and adhesion blocking agents, lymphocyte depleting agent), or hematologic malignancy
    • No risk factors for disseminated disease: no known defects in cell-mediated immunity
  • Overall risk assessment
    • High risk: from highly endemic area and risk factors for disseminated disease
    • Moderate risk: from highly endemic area without risk factors for disseminated disease, or from moderately endemic area and risk factor for disseminated disease
    • Low risk: from moderately endemic area without risk factors for disseminated disease
    • Very low risk: from non-endemic area

Management by Risk Category

  • Asymptomatic disease with or without eosinophilia
    • Moderate or high risk: send diagnostic specimens
    • Low or very low risk: consider alternative diagnoses
    • If from a highly endemic area and immunosuppression cannot wait, consider empiric treatment
  • Simple intestinal strongyloidiasis
    • High risk: treat empirically
    • Moderate and low risk: send diagnostic specimens
    • Very low risk: consider alternative diagnoses
  • Mild hyperinfection or disseminated disease
    • Moderate or high risk: treat empirically
    • Low or very low risk: send diagnostic specimens

Treatment Options

  • First-line: ivermectin 200 mcg/kg po once, repeated after 2 weeks
    • DO NOT use if onchocerciasis or loiasis
    • Can be given on day 1 and 2 if timing is an issue, but has higher risk of reinfection from autoinfection
  • Second-line: albendazole 400 mg po BID for 10-14 days, but not as effective
  • Hyperinfection or dissemination:
    • Stop any immune-supressing medications
    • Ivermectin 200 mcg/kg PO/SC daily plus albendazole 400 mg PO bid
    • Continue until stool O&P is negative for 2 weeks
    • Also add empiric antibiotics
  • To confirm eradication, check feces up to 1 year after treatment, and serology 1 to 2 years after treatment
    • IgG should decline or serorevert 6 to 12 months after treatment
    • Eosinophilia (if present) should resolve
  • HTLV-1 coinfection: may need to treat 2 days every 2 weeks to keep suppressed

Further Reading

  • CATMAT statement on disseminated strongyloidiasis: Prevention, assessment and management guidelines. Can Comm Dis Rep. 2016;42:12-19. doi: 10.14745/ccdr.v42i01a03
  • Prevalence of strongyloidiasis and schistosomiasis among migrants: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Global Health. 2019. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30490-X

References

  1. ^  Archana Asundi, Alina Beliavsky, Xing Jian Liu, Arash Akaberi, Guido Schwarzer, Zeno Bisoffi, Ana Requena-MΓ©ndez, Ian Shrier, Christina Greenaway. Prevalence of strongyloidiasis and schistosomiasis among migrants: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Global Health. 2019;7(2):e236-e248. doi:10.1016/s2214-109x(18)30490-x.