Accidental Finding of Strongyloides stercoralis Hyperinfection in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report

Soil-transmitted helminths commonly present as asymptomatic gastrointestinal discomfort, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, anaemia, and decreased work productivity. They are rarely fatal. Strongyloides stercoralis is a soil-transmitted intestinal nematode that can remain asymptomatic for a very long time. Hyperinfection and disseminated infection, commonly associated with immunocompromised patients, can have a grievous outcome. In this case, the patient was admitted to the hospital with an electric burn wound and was treated with partial amputation of the right hand, along with other wounds. During hospitalisation, it was found that he was anaemic with a haemoglobin of 8.3 g/dL, for which he was evaluated. Stool examination revealed multiple larvae of S. stercoralis, suggestive of hyperinfection. The patient was treated to prevent further complications and was discharged later. This implies the importance of having a high index of suspicion, while evaluating patients in tropical and subtropical climates for parasitic infections.