Strongyloides infection manifested during immunosuppressive therapy for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.
Infection
; 49(3): 539-542, 2021 Jun.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-754160
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has posed formidable public health and clinical challenges. The use of immunosuppressive agents, such as high dose corticosteroids and cytokine inhibitors (e.g., Tocilizumab) has been suggested to contrast the hyperinflammatory process involved in the pathogenesis of the severe disease, with conflicting evidence. Among the drawbacks of immunosuppressive therapy, the risk of reactivation of latent infections, including parasitic infestations, is to be considered. CASE PRESENTATION We report a case of a 59-year-old Italian patient treated with high dose intravenous dexamethasone and two intravenous doses of Tocilizumab for interstitial bilateral pneumonia associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed itching, abdominal pain, and an increased eosinophil count. Stool examination confirmed the presence of S. stercoralis larvae. The patient was treated with a 4-day course of Ivermectin with full recovery.DISCUSSION:
We report the first case of S. stercoralis infection following an 11-day treatment with high-dose steroids and Tocilizumab for severe COVID-19. Clinicians should be aware of the risk of strongyloidiasis as a complication of the treatment for severe COVID-19.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Strongyloidiasis
/
Latent Infection
/
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
/
Immunosuppressive Agents
Type of study:
Case report
/
Diagnostic study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
/
Vaccines
Limits:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Language:
English
Journal:
Infection
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S15010-020-01522-4
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