Strongyloides Stercoralis Infection

Strongyloides (EIA) from Serum

Due to the large number of immigrants in the Netherlands and the increasing wanderlust of the Dutch, more and more tropical diseases are occurring. A special worm is Strongyloides stercoralis.

Strongyloides is one of the few tropical infections that also occur in Europe and North America. Worldwide there are about 100 million infected people.

One becomes infected through contact with soil (ground). The larvae penetrate the intact skin when walking barefoot on infected soil or sitting on the beach. The infection can also be contracted via an infected animal.

The first symptom is usually a rash (racing larvae). Often this is initially without symptoms, but when the immune system is suppressed by medication or stress, the infection can spread and become severe. Symptoms may include:

• abdominal pain
• asthmatic complaints
• rash
• blood poisoning

Strongyloides stercoralis is a worm with a complex cycle. Humans become infected with it by larvae that mature in the soil and penetrate bare intact skin. Through bloodstream, lungs, trachea and esophagus, the larvae reach their destination, the lining of the small intestine. There the worms mature and begin producing eggs. Unlike other worm species, the eggs of Strongyloides stercoralis still pass into the larval form in the intestine. These larvae can be excreted with the faeces, but may also continue to grow in the intestine and re-enter the body through the intestinal wall or the skin. This creates a 'short circuit' in the cycle, which means that once infected, a person can remain a lifelong carrier of the worm.

As a confirmation test the Strongyloides antibodies blot test can be done, the costs for this are €90,- extra and is only available on request.