Strongyloidiasis in immunosuppressed patients.

An increasing number of severe, even fatal cases of strongyloidiasis in patients on immunosuppressive drugs are being reported. During a 26 month period, three severe cases of Strongyloides stercoralis infestation were diagnosed in patients who were on steroid therapy. These cases are of special interest because of the following factors. Firstly, all the patients lived in a nonendemic metropolitan area. Secondly, a single stool specimen from one patient contained several distinct developmental stages of the parasite's life cycle. This finding appears to be unique considering the fact that the patient had not been administered a purgative or anthelminthic. Lastly, a surviving renal transplant patient continues to have persistent strongyloidiasis despite repeated Mintezol (thiabendazole) therapy.