Strongyloides stercoralis infection: neglected parasitic infection among cancer patients

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer patients are susceptible to severe parasitic infections particularly Strongyloides stercoralis (S.s) infection. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections with highlighting Strongyloides stercoralis infections in 139 cancer patients admitted to oncology ward of Imam Khomeini hospital of Sari during 2009. Material and Methods: In this descriptive and cross-sectional study, fecal samples (n=139) were collected from different cancer patients. After completing the questionnaires, the samples were examined by direct smear and formalin ether sedimentation methods. Results: In this study, of 139 patients with different types of cancer 53.9 % (n=75) and 46.1% (n=64) were male and female, respectively. In the stool exam, two cases (1.4%) infected with Rhabditiform larvae of S.s were detected while both of them were affected with Multiple Myeloma cancer. Conclusion: This study showed that in endemic areas, three times stool examination by formalin-ether technique for detecting Strongyloides stercoralis must be requested before chemotherapy in cancer patients.

Keywords

• strongyloides stercoralis
• cancer
• infection
• multiple myeloma