Strongyloides, HTLV-1 and small bowel obstruction. Issue 12 (9th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martyn, Emily; Gration, Betty; Subbiah Somasundaram, Chitra; Chiodini, Peter L
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 12:Issue 12(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12-09
• Subjects: stomach and duodenum -- tropical medicine (infectious disease); Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2019-232461
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

Abstract : An 81-year-old Jamaican man who has been resident in the UK for many years presented with one week history of generalised abdominal pain, postprandial vomiting, anorexia, weight loss and abdominal distension. He was managed conservatively for acute small bowel obstruction. Investigations revealed a duodenal stricture. Live Strongyloides stercoralis larvae were observed in stool samples and duodenal biopsy confirmed the presence of the parasite at multiple life cycle stages within the lamina propria. He was diagnosed with Strongyloides hyperinfection with underlying human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 and treated with a prolonged course of ivermectin with ongoing monitoring for relapse. This case demonstrates a rare but potentially fatal cause of small bowel obstruction.