Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
|
Definition Return to top
Strongyloidiasis is an infection caused by the roundworm Strongyloides stercoralis.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
S. stercoralis is fairly common in warm moist areas. Rarely it can be found as far north as Canada.
This tiny worm is barely visible to the naked eye. Its life cycle is very similar to the hookworm:
Exposure occurs when skin has direct contact with contaminated soil. Unlike the hookworm life cycle, where the eggs must pass in the feces and mature in wet soil, the roundworm eggs hatch and the larvae can infect others even at the time they are passed in the feces.
Because of this, the larvae may move through the skin near the anus after being passed in the stool and repeat the cycle. A person becomes more heavily infected with each cycle. Areas where the larvae go through the skin may become red and painful.
The incidence is low in the US. Most of the disease seen in North America is brought by travelers who have visited or lived in South America and Africa.
The main risk factor for infection involves contact with soil contaminated with S. stercoralis.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the worms with anti-worm medications (anthelminthics) such as ivermectin or thiabendazole.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Full recovery with eradication of parasites is expected with adequate treatment. Sometimes treatment needs to be repeated.
Infections that are widespread often have a poor prognosis, especially in patients with weakened immune systems.
Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of strongyloidiasis are present.Prevention Return to top
Good personal hygiene can reduce the risk of strongyloidiasis. Adequate public health services and sanitary facilities provide good control of infection. Update Date: 7/12/2004 Updated by: Daniel Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Home | Health Topics | Drug Information | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Selection Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |