Open AccessSyndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH) in Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection
Author(s) -
Deepshikha Nag Chowdhury,
Gautamy Chitiki Dhadham,
Anish Shah,
Walid Baddoura
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of global infectious diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 0974-8245
pISSN - 0974-777X
DOI - 10.4103/0974-777x.127945
Subject(s) - strongyloides stercoralis , strongyloidiasis , hyponatremia , medicine , vomiting , immunosuppression , hormone , gastroenterology , cholera , adrenal insufficiency , ivermectin , immunology , pathology , helminths , veterinary medicine
Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) is a soil transmitted intestinal roundworm that has a unique ability to multiply within the human host and reinfect the human carrier by a process of autoinfection. By this property, S. stercoralis can persist as an occult infection for many decades. In situations of immunosuppression or other permissive gastrointestinal conditions, there occurs a massive increase in parasite multiplication. The parasites penetrate through the intestinal mucosa and are carried in circulation and can cause multisystem involvement. We report a case of a 76-year-old Columbian male who presented with intractable vomiting and hyponatremia who was then diagnosed to have syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). The patient's symptoms improved after treatment with two doses of ivermectin and his serum sodium levels returned to normal. S. stercoralis infection should be suspected in patients from endemic regions who present with gastrointestinal symptoms and unexplained hyponatremia.