Strongyloides stercoralis Peter Bertrn Background Information Nematode 2
Strongyloides stercoralis Peter Bertrán
Background Information • • • Nematode 2 life forms Transmission – Penetrates through skin – Migrate to alveoli – Swallowing leads to hyperinfection – Larvae excreted and process starts anew
Continued Background Information • Pathogenic effects – Dermatologic • Rash, cutaneous granulomas – Gastrointestinal • Distension, diarrhea, pain – Pulmonary • Wheezing, cough, hemoptysis – Central Nervous System • Meningal symptoms – Reproductive • Cases of infertility in males
Historical Accounts • • • 1876 Larvae and strongyloidiasis were both discovered by Louis Alexis Normand 1883 German parasitologist Karl Georg Friedrich Rudolf Leuckart discovered the alternation of generations involving parasitic and free-living phases discovery that infection occurred through the skin was made by Belgian physician Paul Van Durme Friedrich Fülleborn described the phenomenon of autoinfection For over half a century, S. stercoralis received little attention until prisoners of war who had acquired their infections in the Far East in the 1940 s revealed disseminated infections in immunosuppressed patients
Cultural Spread • • Irrigation in underdeveloped countries Activities in which people are barefoot in an infection-prone area. – Religious ceremonies – Sporting events – hunting
Human Movement and Distribution • • Est. 100 -200 million infected worldwide Immigration from endemic areas – Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Central America, and South America, and parts of Eastern Europe are considered endemic areas. – Worldwide prevalence is estimated as 2 -20% in endemic areas
Treatments & Measures To Prevent • • Nematocides Wear proper footwear Proper waste disposal Albendazole – Works by inhibiting glucose intake by nematodes. – Side effects are mild
Infrastructure & Anthrpogenic changes • • • More prevalent in areas where sewage is used for irrigation. Water purification in endemic areas is hard to come by. Quality healthcare is within reach, but sometimes too expensive. Better plumbing in countries has led to less disease spread Certain nematocides have been developed
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