Intestinal function and morphology in strongyloidiasis.

Divergent available information on the capability of Strongyloides stercoralis to cause malabsorption prompted a long-term observation in which the nutritional state of the subjects was carefully defined. In spite of moderate to severe symptoms, well nourished patients, even with segmental jejunitis, did not show malabsorption. All patients presenting this parasitic infection with concomitant malnutrition showed absorptive defects. Abnormal absorption persisted in spite of parasitic cure when malnutrition was not immediately corrected, and disappeared with correction of the malnutrition even if parasitic infection was allowed to continue. The present experience indicates that the malabsorption syndrome seen in some cases of S. stercoralis infection is secondary to the concomitant malnutrition and not to the parasite per se.