Respiratory hyperinfection with Strongyloides stercoralis in a patient with renal failure.

BACKGROUND

A 40-year-old female presented to hospital with rapidly progressive renal failure secondary to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive crescentic glomerulonephritis. She was started on immunosuppressive therapy (oral steroids and oral cyclophosphamide) and hemodialysis. She re-presented with persistent fever, persistent vomiting and dry cough 135 days after starting immunosuppression. A chest X-ray revealed left lower zone consolidation. Repeated sputum Gram stains were negative, and both sputum and blood cultures were sterile. A sputum smear was negative for acid-fast bacilli. The patient's fever did not respond to empirical antibiotics or antitubercular therapy. Bronchoscopic alveolar lavage and stool examination revealed larval forms of Strongyloides stercoralis.

INVESTIGATIONS

Physical examination, urine and blood analyses, chest X-ray, bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage examination.

DIAGNOSIS

Respiratory hyperinfection syndrome due to S. stercoralis.

MANAGEMENT

Ivermectin, albendazole and empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics for bacterial superinfection (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid for 5 days followed by piperacillin and tazobactam plus levofloxacin).