STRONGYLOIDIASIS

General information

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal parasitic roundworm found in tropical, humid regions, particularly SE Asia, with unusual characteristics.

Not only can the parasite multiply within a human being, and result in ongoing cycles of infection which allow it to persist in that human for decades, but it can also undergo independent free-living and development in the soil. Life-cycle Larval forms ["rhabditiform larvae"]of the parasite are passed out of the host [the person harbouring the parasite), in the faeces and then transform into an infectious form known as filariform larvae. Humans acquire strongyloidiasis following contact with faecally contaminated soil, when the filariform larvae penetrate the skin or mucous membranes, reach the bloodstream and travel to the lungs where they break into the smallest parts of the respiratory system, working their way up through the bronchi to the trachea, are swallowed and reach the small intestine where they mature into adult worms. Parasitic female adult worms are only 2mm long and can reproduce themselves without the need of a male partner.

Eggs hatch locally within the intestinal lining, releasing rhabditiform larvae which migrate into the bowel cavity to be passed via faeces to the soil. Alternatively the rhabditiform larvae can transform into filariform larvae within the host, penetrate the colonic wall or perianal skin and once more enter the circulation to repeat the migration that establishes ongoing eternal reinfection.

Thus, persons having lived in tropical regions, in unhygienic conditions, including as a prisoner-of-war, may have run the risk of contraction of strongyloidiasis.

Svmptoms of Strongyloidiasis

Treatment