Strongyloides infection manifested during immunosuppressive therapy for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia

We report a case of a 59-year-old Italian patient treated with high dose intravenous dexamethasone and two intravenous doses of Tocilizumab for interstitial bilateral pneumonia associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed itching, abdominal pain, and an increased eosinophil count. Stool examination confirmed the presence ofS. stercoralis larvae. The patient was treated with a 4-day course of Ivermectin with full recovery.DiscussionWe report the first case ofS. stercoralis infection following an 11-day treatment with high-dose steroids and Tocilizumab for severe COVID-19. Clinicians should be aware of the risk of strongyloidiasis as a complication of the treatment for severe COVID-19.
Source: Infection - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research