Fatal Strongyloidiasis in Patients Receiving Corticosteroids

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
THE influence of corticosteroids in initiation or aggravation of infections has been described in detail.1 In addition to bacterial, viral, rickettsial or fungous infections,2 3 4 there is clinical and experimental evidence that some protozoan diseases such as trypanosomiasis, malaria and amebiasis may be aggravated by steroid therapy.5 6 7 Galliard and Berdonneau8 have reported that dogs previously refractory to Strongyloides stercoralis infection may become susceptible after treatment with cortisone. In spite of these observations the use of corticosteroids has been suggested in the treatment of selected cases of severe strongyloidiasis.9 This communication reports 5 cases of fatal strongyloidiasis in association with corticosteroid therapy . . .