PULMONARY STRONGYLOIDIASIS - CLINICAL AND IMAGING FEATURES

Strangyloides stercoralis is an important cause of severe pulmonary in fection and death in many areas of the world [1, 2]. The nematode is e ndemic in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico, where infection rates may exceed 6% of the population [1, 3-7]. Although pulmonary symptoms from strongyloidiasis can be mild, consisting only of cough and bronc hospasm, the potential for severe pulmonary disease and adult respirat ory distress syndrome is great in certain persons at high risk for str ongyloidiasis [1, 2]. Unfortunately, pulmonary strongyloidiasis is sel dom diagnosed until late in the course of the disease, which contribut es to a high death rate [1, 2, 5, 8]. We review the clinical and imagi ng features of pulmonary strongyloidiasis and emphasize clues that can lead to earlier diagnosis, recognition of complications, and prompt t reatment.