Strongyloides stercoralis is a parasitic roundworm that causes strongyloidiasis, a potentially chronic and life-threatening infection. Transmission occurs through direct contact with soil contaminated with larvae, which penetrate the skin and migrate through the body to the intestines. While many people with strongyloidiasis are asymptomatic, others may experience symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and skin rashes. In immunocompromised individuals, the infection can become disseminated, affecting multiple organs and leading to fatal complications.
Clearing Strongyloides stercoralis with antiparasitic treatment like ivermectin can prevent severe complications, particularly in those with compromised immune systems. Effective treatment not only resolves gastrointestinal symptoms but also reduces the risk of hyperinfection syndrome, a dangerous escalation of the infection that can be fatal if untreated.
