Strongyloides stercoralis. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura. / [Strongyloides stercoralis. Report of a case and review of the literature]

ABSTRACT

A fatal case of strongyloidiasis in a boy aged 8 months, referred to our hospital, with severe malnutrition, dehydration, brownish fluid through the naso-gastric tube and relapsing chronic diarrhea with bloody mucus. Through all symptoms and observation of rabditoid larvae, eggs and even adult females, parasitologic diagnosis was achieved. In spite of medical intensive care the patient died after 18 days of hospitalization. Diseases pathophysiology is discussed as well as a review about the trustfulness of the parasite biological cycle as is traditionally described in the literature. Ability is questioned of rabditoid larvae to follow the alternative way as free living adults or parasitic living in adults.