TY - JOUR T1 - Complicated and fatal <em>Strongyloides</em> infection in Canadians: risk factors, diagnosis and management JF - Canadian Medical Association Journal JO - CMAJ SP - 479 LP - 484 DO - 10.1503/cmaj.1031698 VL - 171 IS - 5 AU - Sue Lim AU - Kevin Katz AU - Sigmund Krajden AU - Milan Fuksa AU - Jay S. Keystone AU - Kevin C. Kain Y1 - 2004/08/31 UR - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/171/5/479.abstract N2 - STRONGYLOIDIASIS, WHICH IS CAUSED by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis, is a common and persistent infection, particularly in developing countries. In the setting of compromised cellular immunity, it can result in fulminant dissemination with case-fatality rates of over 70%. The majority of new Canadian immigrants come from countries where Strongyloides is highly endemic; therefore, the burden of Strongyloides may be underappreciated in Canada. Because early diagnosis and therapy can have a marked impact on disease outcome, screening for this infection should be considered mandatory for patients who have a history of travel or residence in a disease-endemic area and risk factors for disseminated disease (e.g., corticosteroid use and human T-lymphotropic virus type I infection). ER -