#6795 DISSEMINATED STRONGYLOIDES INFECTION IN A PATIENT WITH IGA NEPHROPATHY ON IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE MEDICATIONS

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Immunosuppressive medications such as high dose steroids and antimetabolites are frequently used in glomerulonephritis. However, use of these medications is usually associated with various adverse effects. Among the drawbacks of immunosuppressive therapy, the risk of reactivation of latent infections, including parasitic infestations, is to be considered. Method Case report. Results Our case is a 28 year old male patient who was diagnosed as a case of IgA nephropathy 7 months back with M1E1S1T1C0 lesions with a serum creatinine of 1.7 mg/dL and eGFR of 56 ml/min/1.73 m2. He was started on prednisolone (40mg daily) and mycophenolate mofetil (1000mg twice daily) for 1 month. He presented with us with diarrhea. He was treated with IV fluids and mycophenolate mofetil was stopped. After two weeks, he was readmitted with a 4-day history of fever, vomiting, and epigastric pain. On examination, he showed mild epigastric tenderness, normal vitals. The laboratory investigations on admission showed hemoglobin-15 g/dL, total leucocyte count-8600, eosinophilia with absolute eosinophil count 1900/ mm3, urea-92 mg/dL, creatinine-2 mg/dL. ECG showed sinus tachycardia, and HRCT chest revealed bilateral ground glass opacities and a calcified nodule in the left upper lobe. Liver function test was normal with normal amylase and calcium level. Blood culture was sterile. Ultrasound abdomen showed a bilateral raised Eco pattern in kidneys rest were normal. Upper GI endoscopy revealed diffuse edema, erythema, and superficial ulceration in duodenum and biopsy was taken. The duodenal biopsy showed features of strongyloidiasis stercoralis (Figure 1). Bronchoesophageal lavage was done which revealed strongyloidiasis stercoralis larvae. Meanwhile, the patient developed subacute small bowel obstruction with abdominal x ray showing multiple air fluid levels and CT scan showed features of small bowel obstruction with transition at mid-ileal level secondary to short segment thickening. Small bowel obstruction was relived with conservative mangement with ryles tube decompression and enemas. He was diagnosed with disseminated strongyloidiasis and treated with ivermectin for 14 days with full recovery Conclusion Our case signifies need of awareness among clinicians of the risk of disseminated strongyloidiasis as a complication of the treatment with immunosuppressive medications even in non-endemic areas.