Chronic Strongyloides stercoralis infection in former British Far East prisoners of war
Chronic Strongyloides stercoralis infection in former British Far East prisoners of war
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DOI：
10.1093/qjmed/hch133
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发表时间：
2004-12-01
影响因子：
13.3
通讯作者：
Beeching, NJ
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Gill, GV;Welch, E;Beeching, NJ
Background: Chronic infections with the nematode worm Strongyloides stercoralis can occur in former WWII Far East prisoners of war (FEPOWs). The condition may be asymptomatic, but frequently causes a characteristic urticarial 'larva currens' rash. Under conditions of immunosuppression (particularly systemic corticosteroid treatment) potentially fatal dissemination of larvae ('hyperinfection') may occur.Aim: To review our total experience of strongyloidiasis in former FEPOWs, and investigate its prevalence, characteristics and risk factors.Design: Retrospective case series.Methods: We reviewed 2072 records of all FEPOWs seen at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, 1968-2002. Cases with strongyloidiasis were compared with non-infected controls.Results: There were 248 (12%) with strongyloidiasis. Diagnostic features included larva currens rash (70%), eosinophilia (66%), positive faecal culture (30%), positive faecal microscopy (26%), and positive serology (64%). Mean (+/-SD) age of cases was 65 7 years, and as expected, their blood eosinophil counts were significantly higher than controls (775 vs. 238 x 10(6)/1, p < 0.001). Captivity on the Thai-Burma Railway (vs. elsewhere) was significantly associated with strongyloidiasis (78% cases vs. 40% controls, OR 4.19, Cl 2.70-6.81, p
