Strongyloides Hyperinfection Syndrome among COVID-19 Patients Treated with Corticosteroids

Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Jul;28(7):1531-1533. doi: 10.3201/eid2807.220198.

Abstract

Widespread use of corticosteroids for COVID-19 treatment has led to Strongyloides reactivation and severe disease in patients from endemic areas. We describe a US patient with COVID-19 and Strongyloides hyperinfection syndrome and review other reported cases. Our findings highlight the need for Strongyloides screening and treatment in high-risk populations.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; Strongyloides; Strongyloides stercoralis; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; parasites; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Humans
  • Strongyloides stercoralis*
  • Strongyloidiasis* / diagnosis
  • Strongyloidiasis* / drug therapy
  • Strongyloidiasis* / epidemiology
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones