Fatal disseminated strongyloidiasis in patients on immunosuppressive therapy: report of two cases.

ABSTRACT

Disseminated strongyloidiasis is a rare manifestation in patients on immunosuppressive drugs. We report two cases of fatal disseminated Strongyloides stercoralis infestation. The first was in a patient of pemphigus vulgaris who developed an exacerbation of symptoms, one year after diagnosis and was given intravenous dexamethasone and azathioprine and in the third week of hospitalization developed features of septicemia, respiratory failure and petechial hemorrhages which were proven to be due to disseminated strongyloidiasis. The second patient was diagnosed to have stage IV diffuse large cell type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and after the second cycle of chemotherapy, developed generalized symptoms of septicemia, respiratory failure, purpuric macules and patches. This was also proven to be disseminated strongyloidiasis.