Diagnosis of Strongyloides stercoralis in sputum cytology.

A unique case of hyperinfection with Strongyloides stercoralis in an apparently immunosuppressed host is reported. The organism in various stages of maturation was initially detected by routine sputum cytology. Papanicolaou-stained smears from scrapings of jejunal and colonic mucosa provided specific confirmation of the parasite. Postmortem examination also showed massive tissue and vascular invasion in the intestine with cerebral and pulmonary dissemination.