%0 Journal Article %A Sue Lim %A Kevin Katz %A Sigmund Krajden %A Milan Fuksa %A Jay S. Keystone %A Kevin C. Kain %T Complicated and fatal Strongyloides infection in Canadians: risk factors, diagnosis and management %D 2004 %R 10.1503/cmaj.1031698 %J Canadian Medical Association Journal %P 479-484 %V 171 %N 5 %X 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). %U https://www.cmaj.ca/content/cmaj/171/5/479.full.pdf