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Severe strongyloidiasis and systemic vasculitis: comorbidity, association or both? Case-based review

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Abstract

A possible association between strongyloidiasis and systemic vasculitis is rarely reported in the literature. We report the case of a patient with severe strongyloidiasis and an angiographic finding consistent with polyarteritis nodosa. Diagnosis of strongyloidiasis was made by finding of larvae and adult parasites in samples of the upper gastrointestinal tract mucosa and stool. The patient was treated with albendazole, ivermectin and corticosteroid withdrawal. This therapy led to the resolution of symptoms, with repeated stool samples negative for S. stercoralis. However, the clinical course was complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite tuberculostatic therapy and supportive measures, a lethal outcome occurred. The report is followed by a focused review of the available literature on the association of strongyloidiasis and systemic vasculitis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinic of Allergology and Immunology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia

    Rada Miskovic, Aleksandra Plavsic, Jasna Bolpacic, Sanvila Raskovic & Mirjana Bogic

  2. School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

    Rada Miskovic, Aleksandra Plavsic, Jasna Bolpacic, Sanvila Raskovic, Jovan Ranin & Mirjana Bogic

  3. Clinic of Infective and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia

    Jovan Ranin

Authors
  1. Rada Miskovic
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  2. Aleksandra Plavsic
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  3. Jasna Bolpacic
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  4. Sanvila Raskovic
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  5. Jovan Ranin
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  6. Mirjana Bogic
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Contributions

The case was diagnosed and followed up by RM, AP and JR. JB, JR and MB conceived and planned the case report. RM, AP and SR wrote the manuscript. Literature data were searched and analyzed by all authors. The final version was read, corrected and approved by all authors.

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Correspondence to Rada Miskovic.

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The authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.

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Written informed consent was obtained from the patient relatives for publication of this case report and any accompanying images.

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Miskovic, R., Plavsic, A., Bolpacic, J. et al. Severe strongyloidiasis and systemic vasculitis: comorbidity, association or both? Case-based review. Rheumatol Int 38, 2315–2321 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-018-4178-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-018-4178-y

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