Restrictive pulmonary disease due to interlobular septal fibrosis associated with disseminated infection by Strongyloides stercoralis.

Abstract

Strongyloidiasis is caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis. The parasite has a unique life cycle that enables it to cause a hyperinfection syndrome in which pulmonary involvement is characteristic. We describe the case of a 68-yr-old Hispanic male from Puerto Rico with disseminated strongyloidiasis who developed intense granulomatous reaction in the lung associated with interlobular septal fibrosis. Granulomatous lung disease leading to fibrosis within the lung has been well demonstrated in schistosomiasis, another parasitic disease. This case represents the first report, as far as we are aware, of fibrosis within the lung and restrictive pulmonary disease in association with Strongyloides stercoralis.