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Case Reports
. 2024 Aug 6;13(8):658.
doi: 10.3390/pathogens13080658.

Dermatological Presentation of Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Two Elderly Italian Inpatients

Giulia Gardini  1 , Guenter Froeschl  2 , Petra Rosa Puzzi  1 , Silvia Gambino  1 , Elke Maria Erne  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Dermatological Presentation of Strongyloides stercoralis Infection in Two Elderly Italian Inpatients

Giulia Gardini et al. Pathogens. .

Abstract

Persistent infections caused by Strongyloides stercoralis are probably underestimated in the elderly Italian population. This nematode is unique among helminths: it can last asymptomatically in the host for decades and may present with a broad range of clinical pictures upon reactivation. Misdiagnosis often occurs even when the clinical picture is suggestive. If undetected, this parasitosis can lead to serious consequences when hyperinfection occurs. Herein, we report two peculiar clinical cases of complicated strongyloidiasis with multiple skin lesions. The aim of our report is to lead clinicians to familiarize themselves with skin patterns and clinical features that can suggest a possible underlying strongyloidiasis.

Keywords: Strongyloides stercoralis; larva currens; skin lesions; strongyloidiasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Disseminated larva currens on the inferior abdomen.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Diffuse exanthema in S. stercoralis infection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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