Detection and treatment of Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome following lung transplantation

Abstract

Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome has not been reported in lung transplant recipients. We describe the case of a 61-year-old Peruvian man, who received bilateral lung transplants for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and subsequently developed persistent fever with pulmonary infiltrates, ventilator dependence, and pneumothoraces. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cultures for bacteria, viruses, and fungi were negative, but testing for ova and parasites from BAL fluid revealed Strongyloides stercoralis larvae on day 16 post transplant. He was successfully treated with albendazole and ivermectin, and immunosuppression was reduced. BAL fluid also grew Mycobacterium kansasii, for which he received combination anti-mycobacterial therapy. This case illustrates the importance of screening for parasitic infections before transplantation in the appropriate clinical setting, and demonstrates the utility of direct diagnostic evaluation for parasitic infections in at-risk post-transplant patients with unexplained illnesses.