Strongyloides stercoralis Hyperinfection Syndrome in Pregnancy

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 15; no. 8
• Main Authors: Akers, Allison N, Vest, Adriana, Schenone, Claudio V, Rodriguez, Alejandro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palo Alto Cureus Inc 16-08-2023; Cureus
• Subjects: Abdomen; Asymptomatic; Cardiac arrhythmia; Case reports; COVID-19; Epidemiology/Public Health; Infections; Infectious Disease; Intensive care; Intestinal obstruction; Lungs; Mortality; Obstetrics/Gynecology; Parasitic diseases; Patients; Placental abruption; Pregnancy; Steroids; Ultrasonic imaging; Vagina
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.43568

Strongyloidiasis is a parasitic infection with a high global burden of disease. Hyperinfection syndrome is a life-threatening complication that predominantly affects immunosuppressed individuals, such as those receiving corticosteroid treatment. Despite its worldwide prevalence, little is known about the clinical effects of this condition on the feto-maternal dyad during pregnancy. We present a case of placental abruption leading to preterm delivery in a pregnancy complicated by Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome following antenatal corticosteroid use. Although rare, this condition is associated with high mortality rates and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, screening at-risk individuals may be warranted in pregnancies where antenatal corticosteroid administration is considered.