Real-time PCR for Strongyloides stercoralis-associated meningitis

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2016 Mar;84(3):197-9. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2015.11.015. Epub 2015 Nov 17.

Abstract

Four immunocompromised patients, immigrants from Ethiopia, presented with diverse clinical manifestations of meningitis associated with Strongyloides stercoralis dissemination as determined by identification of intestinal larvae. The cerebrospinal fluid of 3 patients was tested by a validated (for stool) real-time PCR for S. stercoralis and was found positive, establishing this association.

Keywords: Immunocompromised host; Meningitis; PCR; Strongyloides stercoralis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Male
  • Meningitis / diagnosis*
  • Meningitis / drug therapy
  • Meningitis / parasitology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Parasite Load
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction* / methods
  • Risk Factors
  • Strongyloides stercoralis / genetics*
  • Strongyloidiasis / diagnosis*
  • Strongyloidiasis / drug therapy
  • Strongyloidiasis / parasitology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anthelmintics