Strongyloidiasis and Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The presence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been described previously. Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome (SHS) that usually develops in patients under immunosuppressive therapy may affect a variety of organs, but the pre...

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Main Authors: Fernando Gonzalez-Ibarra, Parag Chevli, Lindsey Schachter, Maninder Kaur, Sahar Eivaz-Mohammadi, Basheer Tashtoush, Jioty Matta, Amer K. Syed, Valentin Marian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/278390
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author Fernando Gonzalez-Ibarra
Parag Chevli
Lindsey Schachter
Maninder Kaur
Sahar Eivaz-Mohammadi
Basheer Tashtoush
Jioty Matta
Amer K. Syed
Valentin Marian
author_facet Fernando Gonzalez-Ibarra
Parag Chevli
Lindsey Schachter
Maninder Kaur
Sahar Eivaz-Mohammadi
Basheer Tashtoush
Jioty Matta
Amer K. Syed
Valentin Marian
author_sort Fernando Gonzalez-Ibarra
collection DOAJ
description The presence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been described previously. Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome (SHS) that usually develops in patients under immunosuppressive therapy may affect a variety of organs, but the presentation with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is rare with only a few cases described in the literature. We present the case of a 36-year-old Hispanic female with a past medical history relevant for SLE and a recent diagnosis of lupus nephritis and hypertension. The patient who developed sudden and progressive abdominal pain and respiratory distress, with the presence of bilateral crackles and severe hypoxemia, is currently under treatment with steroids and cyclophosphamide for worsening of lupus nephritis. The patient underwent endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, and computed tomography showed the presence of bilateral pulmonary infiltrates suggestive of DAH. Bronchoalveolar lavage was done and showed the presence of filariform larvae, morphologically consistent with Strongyloides stercoralis. Treatment with ivermectin was started and patient responded to treatment with improvement of clinical status. In conclusion, the development of SHS in patients with lupus, especially when receiving immunosuppressive therapy, is a severe and potentially fatal complication. Early detection and treatment may decrease mortality.
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spelling doaj-art-9ab4e5b1ee1e4d52bed02efc6d54220d2025-08-20T03:36:53ZengWileyCase Reports in Medicine1687-96271687-96352014-01-01201410.1155/2014/278390278390Strongyloidiasis and Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in a Patient with Systemic Lupus ErythematosusFernando Gonzalez-Ibarra0Parag Chevli1Lindsey Schachter2Maninder Kaur3Sahar Eivaz-Mohammadi4Basheer Tashtoush5Jioty Matta6Amer K. Syed7Valentin Marian8Department of Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, St. George’s University School of Medicine, Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, St. George’s University School of Medicine, Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USADepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL 33331, USADepartment of Pulmonary and Critical care, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USALaureate National Institute of Medicine, Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USADepartment of Rheumatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, USAThe presence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been described previously. Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome (SHS) that usually develops in patients under immunosuppressive therapy may affect a variety of organs, but the presentation with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is rare with only a few cases described in the literature. We present the case of a 36-year-old Hispanic female with a past medical history relevant for SLE and a recent diagnosis of lupus nephritis and hypertension. The patient who developed sudden and progressive abdominal pain and respiratory distress, with the presence of bilateral crackles and severe hypoxemia, is currently under treatment with steroids and cyclophosphamide for worsening of lupus nephritis. The patient underwent endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, and computed tomography showed the presence of bilateral pulmonary infiltrates suggestive of DAH. Bronchoalveolar lavage was done and showed the presence of filariform larvae, morphologically consistent with Strongyloides stercoralis. Treatment with ivermectin was started and patient responded to treatment with improvement of clinical status. In conclusion, the development of SHS in patients with lupus, especially when receiving immunosuppressive therapy, is a severe and potentially fatal complication. Early detection and treatment may decrease mortality.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/278390
spellingShingle Fernando Gonzalez-Ibarra
Parag Chevli
Lindsey Schachter
Maninder Kaur
Sahar Eivaz-Mohammadi
Basheer Tashtoush
Jioty Matta
Amer K. Syed
Valentin Marian
Strongyloidiasis and Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Case Reports in Medicine
title Strongyloidiasis and Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
title_full Strongyloidiasis and Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
title_fullStr Strongyloidiasis and Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
title_full_unstemmed Strongyloidiasis and Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
title_short Strongyloidiasis and Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
title_sort strongyloidiasis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/278390
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