During hyperinfection a patient infected with Strongyloides stercoralis may present with paralytic ileus or small bowel obstruction.
Clinical presentation:
(1) abdominal distention
(2) constipation
(3) nausea and vomiting
(4) abdominal pain
Imaging studies show small bowel distention with bowel wall thickening.
The patient may be immunosuppressed.
The diagnosis requires:
(1) demonstration of parasites (eggs in stool, larvae in biopsy, serology, etc)
(2) exclusion of other causes of small bowel obstruction (previous surgery, opiates, etc)
(3) improvement after ivermectin therapy
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases
